The History of Copa Latina in its seventh year of Championship (1993-1999) with HAITI's Selection participation and Haitians Contribution to its South Florida success.
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Haitian team in Copa Latina Soccer Championship 1999
The 1999 Copa Latina marked the seventh championship, organized on a yearly basis since 1993 by El Nuevo Herald. The head title of the Official introduction guide of Copa Latina simply begins in spanish bold letters "COPA LATINA: UNA TRADICION DE MIAMI" "THE LATIN CUP: A MIAMI TRADICION". Part of Tom Mulroy, President of Copa Latina welcoming printed statement reads as follows: "Miami es una ciudad donde gente de diferentes parte del mundo constitue hogares y comparten culturas. El Nuevo Herald Copa Latina es un imagen elocuente de este diversidad. Es este ambiente tan especial formado por esta gran mezcla de culturas lo que hace de Copa Latina un evento anual magnifico para tanto jugadores, entrenodores, y aficionados. " "Miami is a city where its people came from different parts of the world and constitutes a society which share cultures. The Latin Cup of the New Herald is an eloquent image of this diversity. In this atmosphere so special created for this great mixture of cultures that makes of Copa Latina a wonderful anual event for the players, the trainers and the fans.".
Haitians and Uruguayans standing in attention during the playing of each country National anthems.
Based of information provided by the Guia official of Copa Latina 1999, 32 teams
took part in this event which started on January 31st and ended on February 21st.
The teams were divided in two goups of 16 teams.
In GROUP A were: Team Espana,
Che-ano, Seleccion El Salvador, Colombia Impel America-Cafeteros, seleccion Venezuela,
Seleccion Equador, Union Haiti, Selection Argentina, Miami Tango Soccer Club, Soccer
Mania, IBC/Aero Peru, Rubro negro Brazil, Sao Paulo Futbol Club, Colombia All-Stars,
Colobia Geminis, Hollywood Kickers.
In GROUP B were: Jamaica Lauderhill Lions,
Seleccion Haiti, Jamaica Futbol Club, Team Brazil, U.S.A. Socer Locker, Chili
Universidad Catolica, Oce-Croatia, Nicaragua Soccer Club, Soccer Latino Mexico,
Seleccion Guatemala, Sporting Pacifico, team Adidas, Seleccion Liga Hondurena,
Uruguay Soccer Club, Olimpia Miami, Honduras 5 stars. A moment of happiness for the Uruguayan team, when they score their first goal against Haiti.
Based on printed information provided by Sport Passion of Zenono Jean Baptiste during
the "Conference sur le football Haitien" coordinated by Mrs. Linda Cesar-Noel. More exact informations on correct names of players were gathered by Noe Dorestant, during personal
but informal interview with the following players: Guy-Sauveur Valcourt, Alcess Flambert and Jimmy Dutreuil. The following players were supposed to represent Haiti in Copa Latina 99. They were
selected from four diferent localities.
From Miami: Timothe Benoit, Antoine Brunvil,
Gastino Charles, Ricardo Champagne,Genero Destinvil, Ernest Dimanche, Roosevelt
Dimanche, Alcess Flambert, Marco Macajou, Judes Saint-Cyr, Ricardo Saint-Cyr,
Captain Billy Savaldor, Johny Thelsaint, Captain Patrick Tardieu, Frantz Felisma, Sebastien
Vorbes, Benjamin Vincent, Ysaac Chauvet, Rosemond Pierre .
From Haiti: Ernso Lorenzo, Eddy Cesar, Jean Roland Dartiguenave,
Geteau Ferdinand, Abraham McKenzy, Wilfrid Montilas , Crismonor Telisma.
From New York: Captain Jimmy Dutreuil. From New Jersey: Guy-Sauveur Valcourt,
Pierre Celestin. A moment of uncertainty for both Haiti and Uruguay team, when Flambert's and a Uruguay's player foreheads collided in mid air, both missed the ball and both suffered minor cuts. It became clear at this point,
that both team had to win by "the sweat and bloods of their forehead" not just "a la sueur de leur front". A highly competitive game, where Haiti won 5-4 in penalty kicks.
The players at Copa Latina are from various backgrounds, some are amateurs,
some are semi professionals, some are professionals and some are members of
some countries national team, such was the case of Haiti were six players from
the Haitian national team were sent over by the current Haitian Minister of
Sport to reinforce the Haitian local team and help them win the Copa Latina
an unprecedented fourth time. Truly a record that stands on merit, that
Haitians and Haitian-Americans should be proud of as an ethnic group living in:
South Florida, New York and New Jersey, also a record of national pride and hope for
the Haitians citizens living at home, in the motherland: Haiti.
Final attacks of Haitian team against Equador during Copa Latina Championship game. Haitian team celebrating their fourth win of Copa Latina Haitian fans celebrating to the sound of drums, chachas, white bambous, and rara songs The sound of the Haitian drumers never stops. Haiti a gagne "tambour battant" sous la baniere de "L'union fait la force". Proud display of the Copa Latina 99 trophee in the decor of Haitian flag and Music CD's of Haitian Musical artists. "ViVa Haiti Campeon de Copa latina 99",
" Vive Haiti Champion de la Coupe Latine de 99",
"Long live Haiti Champion of the Latin Cup 99",
"Viv Ayiti champion Koupp Panyol 99 lan".
Congratulations to the Haitian team and may they continue to win fair and square
wherever they may play around the World.
Written by: Noe Dorestant on February 24th, 1999 Note: All pictures were taken and provided by Noe Dorestant as a token of his civic contribution to help promote Haitian soccer on the Internet. If you copy and plan to reuse any of these picture.P.S. give credit to the originator.
All 1999. THE FOUR TOP FINALISTS IN COPA LATINA 99. ********************************************************* HAITI: CHAMPION ECUADOR: 2ND PLACE MIAMI TANGO: 3RD PLACE U.S. A. SOCKER LOCKER: 4TH PLACE **********************************************************************
Contact by e-mail HERE :
Noe' Dorestant
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