Barbados is hoping to enlist the help of football legends in the Caribbean’s fight against rises in Air Passenger Duty.
Alan Shearer and Gianfranco Zola will be among a host of former football stars who will be heading to the island in May for a high profile tournament at Kensington Oval, Barbados, in May.
Petra Roach of Barbados Tourism confirmed that it would be asking the event’s sponsors if they would consider asking their sporting celebrities to assist in an APD campaign.
"We think it’s a great idea and we will, over the course of the next few weeks, be considering asking for their help.
"All sponsors involved in this Soccer Legends tournament, including those that are based in Barbados such as Banks beer, will be adversely affected by the increase in APD and its discriminatory use in the Caribbean. Barbados being a favourite of UK visitors is affected more than most and anything that can bring this APD issue into the public domain will be considered."
Now in its second year, the Barbados British Airways Football Legends Invitational will take place on 26-27 May.
The tournament will feature eight English six-a-side teams including Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and a PFA all-star team.
Each captain has his eyes on reigning champions Manchester United’s trophy.
Former football legends also signed up to pack their football boots include Gaizka Mendieta, Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo, and Andrew Cole.
The tournament will once again attract an enormous crowd of both British football fans visiting the country and local Bajans, who are just as avid in their support of the game.
Ex-Newcastle and England captain Alan Shearer said: "Last year was fantastic – great football and wonderful hospitality. All the lads are really looking forward to returning to Barbados this year and we can promise an entertaining couple of days for everyone who turns out again to support the tournament."
by Bev Fearis
