| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Karl |
Posted - Nov 19 2003 : 5:56:02 PM
Courtesy fleX site -
Wed Nov 19 16:38:55 2003
Captain Burrell: T&T Football needs more support from Govt.
By: Shaun Fuentes.
As the preparations for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers intensifies, President of the Jamaican Football Federation Captain Horace Burrell, fresh from witnessing two convincing victories by his national team says he will relish playing Trinidad and Tobago in an attempt to see both nations assist each other in their qualifying efforts.
Burrell was in the company of FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Vice President Jack Warner over the weekend as the JFF celebrated five years since their historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup in France. The start of the establishment of Jamaica's National training facility was also part of Blatter's visit.
Burrell though, had some stern advice for those in Trinidad and Tobago he claimed should come together to help the country realize its World Cup qualification dreams.
"I always say Trinidad and Tobago man to man has a number of marvelous players. can't even start to name them because there are so many talented players coming out of your country but what you lack is a programme and really the funds to take on this programme. What you need is a financial assistance programme from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago," Burrell said on Sunday evening following Jamaica's 3-0 victory in a friendly over El Salvador at the National Stadium in Kingston. Jamaica's Olympic team scored a 2-0 win over Guatemala in the earlier game of a double header. The senior team then whipped El Salvador 3-0.
"If I were to compare the economy of Trinidad and Tobago with Jamaica I would say that you are way ahead of us. I do not think that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has done enough for football in a country which should really be a leader in the CONCACAF region. When you look at the players and the facilities in Trinidad, they are always going to finish winners. But the Government, besides from what it might be doing for the professional league, must support fo otball development if you are to go forward one more time. Without a professional league and financial support from the state, it will be extremely difficult for the country to rise again and realize the dreams of qualifying in a World Cup or even do well in the qualifiers," added Burrell.
Both Blatter and Warner were in Jamaica to break ground for the construction of Jamaica's National Training facility in Portmore, St Catherine where they were joined by Minister of Sport Portia Simpson Miller, Mayor George Lee as the first block was laid.
The first phase of the project will be financed to the tune of US$600,000 and already a grant of US$400,000 has been received from the FIFA Goal Bureau plus the additional sum set to come from FIFA's Financial Assistance Programme, the long-awaited dream is about to become a reality. Phase one of the project will include a full size playing field as well as a smaller training field, dormitories that can accommodate 48 players at a time and will be equipped with cafeteria and conference room.
Warner on Sunday urged Simpson-Miller to inspire other governments in the Caribbean to follow suit of her government when it comes to supporting the progress of a nation through exploits in sport and more so football.
Warner was speaking to an audience of several Jamaican dignitaries, government and sporting officials as well as other officials from FIFA at a Brunch and Awards ceremony held at the Ball Room of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Among them were cricket umpire Steve Bucknor who was a past referee as well as Test cricket's leading wicket taker Courtney Walsh. Also among those being honoured were current Jamaica Technical Director Carl Brown and former player Alan "Skill" Cole who was named player of the 70s decade.
The main guest at the event was FIFA President Sepp Blatter who took time out to come to Jamaica to be part of their 1998 World Cup qualification anniversary celebrations.
Warner was applauded several times during his 15-minute address during which he added "Prime Minister Portia Miller (also Sports Minister) I beg and I urge you to try and inspire your governments in the region to do as you and your government has when it comes to understanding the value of sport and more so football."
"The flags of Caribbean countries can best be flown and sometimes I feel only through sport and more so football," said Warner who also thanked Blatter for accepting the invitation to Jamaica.
He, being President of the FIFA, is the father of 204 children (national associations) but what he has done by being here today is demonstrate that in the football household, no child is too small or no child is insignificant for his attention."
Blatter then praised the Jamaican Federation for their efforts which he mentioned has helped improve the outlook of the Caribbean and CONCACAF. He also referred to Warner's address saying "Following the outstanding of show of my colleague and friend I will now have difficulty to match not only the quality of his presentation but the spirit he has deployed and I think it is the real Caribbean spirit, a spirit which is very critical and aggressive, not attacking mind you. These are wonderful qualities of the human being."
|
|
|
