Grange disappointed with Haiti withdrawal
Published:Thursday | February 17, 2011 | 4:32 PM
Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has expressed disappointment that the Haitian team had to withdraw from the CONCACAF Under-17 qualifiers.
The Haitian Football Federation has pulled the team from the Qualifiers, just a few hours after the health ministry in Jamaica confirmed Tuesday night that three players were carrying the disease.
The ministry says the footballers entered the island with the disease.
Haiti lost their first match of the qualifiers 3-1 to Costa Rica on Monday and were scheduled to face El Salvador yesterday in their final preliminary game.
As a result of Haiti’s withdrawal, El Salvador will be awarded a 3-0 win.
Minister Grange says Haiti’s withdrawal is very disappointing, especially for the young Haitian boys who spent long hours preparing to play in the tournament only for malaria to ruin their chances.
The minister further says some members of Haiti delegation, including those confirmed with malaria, departed the country yesterday on a special charter flight to Port-au-Prince.
Minister Grange says the other members of the delegation will depart today on a commercial flight.