Tweet
Those rapid Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) changes
published: Wednesday | November 14, 2007
THE NEW Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration led by Captain Horace Burrell has gone about its task quickly, since it officially took over the reins two Sundays ago.
Some have expressed surprise at the rate of which they have been working, but I find nothing strange since for almost two months it was evident they were going to take office unopposed as the former president, Crenston Boxhill, and all but one member of his team, were clearly not going to be challenging at the elections.
During that time, while the administration in office was waiting to be replaced, absolutely nothing positive was being done to enhance the country's status in international circles. It appeared prudent then that since those who run football are committed to doing so in the country's interest, they should have gone about putting the house in order quickly and resigned en mass.
Nonetheless, the time spent waiting presented Captain Burrell and his team enough time to plan ahead, so I really don't find the expediency with which they have executed their operations in under two weeks surprising. Such decisions were well thought out.
Cash Plus Premier League
The decision which no one has a problem with, the easiest to fathom really, is the one that the new administration wouldn't have had months to think about - the one that only became a problem four days before they took office, that of restarting the Cash Plus Premier League quickly.
The previous administration wanted money from the newly-formed Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), and the latter sought clear clarifications for the need. The JFF needed money fast to clear debts it deemed high priority before leaving office, but the PLCA - formed to serve the interests of its membership financially burdened mainly through operation costs - wanted to ensure it wasn't doing more than meeting its obligations, which is quite prudent.
Importantly, there will be friendly internationals again, and significantly, they will be hosted in Jamaica, at 'The Office'. The first on Sunday is against El Salvador and next Wednesday against their Central American counterparts, Guatemala.
This is over four months since the country last played a match and more than six since it was last played at the National Stadium. The national football teams need to be engaged in international activity and so too the people to ensure the sport's vibrancy and marketability, no matter the cost.
The previous administration cited losses totalling more than $30 million in internationals over the past two years as reasons for not hosting but, quite frankly, stronger marketing methods needed to have been employed to bring top-class football to the people. Those who are entrusted with the running of the nation's football have that responsibility. It comes with the territory.
The business of restoring the world ranking from 103 and, let's not forget, seventh in the Caribbean, will be served well with positive results in the soon-to-be friendlies. It carries many implications.
Work permit
Most players here dream of playing in the British leagues but if the country's world ranking remain lower than 75th for two years, then there's hardly a chance that they'll be granted a work permit.
Instantly, it leaves the country exposed in negotiations for matches, as the federation won't have a firm footing.
Much more has been said about decisions to remove the much-travelled Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic as technical director, install former Reggae Boyz' captain and coach of Seba United, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore as head coach of the national senior team for the two upcoming friendlies and long-time coach with a great, technical mind, Bradley Stewart, as his deputy and even the recall of defensive strongman Ian 'Pepe' Goodison.
Milutinovic, a man with a strong ethnic and football background, having been born in Serbia where he lost his dad to the war and was selected for Czechoslovakia's youth team, then played for Partizan Belgrade with his two brothers before moving to play and then coach in Mexico, appears to have been caught between a rock and a hard place, given the Reggae Boyz' inactivity in the latter part of his tenure.
It must be said though, that he had chances to select better teams when they did play matches earlier in the year. To his credit, Milutinovic did admit to a heavy usage of local-based players as part of his talent-searching mission to build for the World Cup.
Unfortunately, the results they got were not good and ultimately contributed to the country's falling status on FIFA's map.
Results are ultimately the yardstick for judgement and for a coach with a high price, especially in a poor country, judgement can be pretty heavy. Right now, expert views are far outweighed by that of the public to reflect that stark reality.
In a way, Milutinovic must be thinking dájù vu, given the similarities of his experience in Honduras, when criticism from the media forced him to leave the job during its 2006 World Cup qualification.
Milutinovic, at 63, knows what it is to succeed though, having guided Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, Nigeria and China at World Cup Finals, the only coach to do so. He took four of those teams past the first round, which is also unequalled in World Cup history, and Mexico to the brink of the semis, only to be beaten by eventual finalists Germany in a penalty shoot-out at the quarter-final stage.
Qualification
I'm certain he'll have more to say.
Much of the argument surrounding Whitmore surrounds qualification. He had played well over 130 internationals for Jamaica and four years as a professional in British football. That, too, serves as qualification. His relationship with Rene Simoes, the man touted to replace Milutinovic, would have also worked in his favour.
Having just returned from Britain and playing with a number of those now holding the back line for Jamaica, as well as Goodison, Whitmore also must have an idea of what this trusted soldier still has to offer. Goodison is playing week-in, week-out in a pro league, which means his condition should be decent. Jamaica haven't had a decent performance from their defenders for quite some time.
And let's not forget Shavar Thomas, who at the very young age of 20 was sweeping for the team. He is several years older and experienced through professional football.
It's good to see the JFF giving other coaches a chance and other people like Lenworth Hyde Sr., Paul Young, Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor, etc., have reason to hope.
published: Wednesday | November 14, 2007
THE NEW Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration led by Captain Horace Burrell has gone about its task quickly, since it officially took over the reins two Sundays ago.
Some have expressed surprise at the rate of which they have been working, but I find nothing strange since for almost two months it was evident they were going to take office unopposed as the former president, Crenston Boxhill, and all but one member of his team, were clearly not going to be challenging at the elections.
During that time, while the administration in office was waiting to be replaced, absolutely nothing positive was being done to enhance the country's status in international circles. It appeared prudent then that since those who run football are committed to doing so in the country's interest, they should have gone about putting the house in order quickly and resigned en mass.
Nonetheless, the time spent waiting presented Captain Burrell and his team enough time to plan ahead, so I really don't find the expediency with which they have executed their operations in under two weeks surprising. Such decisions were well thought out.
Cash Plus Premier League
The decision which no one has a problem with, the easiest to fathom really, is the one that the new administration wouldn't have had months to think about - the one that only became a problem four days before they took office, that of restarting the Cash Plus Premier League quickly.
The previous administration wanted money from the newly-formed Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), and the latter sought clear clarifications for the need. The JFF needed money fast to clear debts it deemed high priority before leaving office, but the PLCA - formed to serve the interests of its membership financially burdened mainly through operation costs - wanted to ensure it wasn't doing more than meeting its obligations, which is quite prudent.
Importantly, there will be friendly internationals again, and significantly, they will be hosted in Jamaica, at 'The Office'. The first on Sunday is against El Salvador and next Wednesday against their Central American counterparts, Guatemala.
This is over four months since the country last played a match and more than six since it was last played at the National Stadium. The national football teams need to be engaged in international activity and so too the people to ensure the sport's vibrancy and marketability, no matter the cost.
The previous administration cited losses totalling more than $30 million in internationals over the past two years as reasons for not hosting but, quite frankly, stronger marketing methods needed to have been employed to bring top-class football to the people. Those who are entrusted with the running of the nation's football have that responsibility. It comes with the territory.
The business of restoring the world ranking from 103 and, let's not forget, seventh in the Caribbean, will be served well with positive results in the soon-to-be friendlies. It carries many implications.
Work permit
Most players here dream of playing in the British leagues but if the country's world ranking remain lower than 75th for two years, then there's hardly a chance that they'll be granted a work permit.
Instantly, it leaves the country exposed in negotiations for matches, as the federation won't have a firm footing.
Much more has been said about decisions to remove the much-travelled Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic as technical director, install former Reggae Boyz' captain and coach of Seba United, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore as head coach of the national senior team for the two upcoming friendlies and long-time coach with a great, technical mind, Bradley Stewart, as his deputy and even the recall of defensive strongman Ian 'Pepe' Goodison.
Milutinovic, a man with a strong ethnic and football background, having been born in Serbia where he lost his dad to the war and was selected for Czechoslovakia's youth team, then played for Partizan Belgrade with his two brothers before moving to play and then coach in Mexico, appears to have been caught between a rock and a hard place, given the Reggae Boyz' inactivity in the latter part of his tenure.
It must be said though, that he had chances to select better teams when they did play matches earlier in the year. To his credit, Milutinovic did admit to a heavy usage of local-based players as part of his talent-searching mission to build for the World Cup.
Unfortunately, the results they got were not good and ultimately contributed to the country's falling status on FIFA's map.
Results are ultimately the yardstick for judgement and for a coach with a high price, especially in a poor country, judgement can be pretty heavy. Right now, expert views are far outweighed by that of the public to reflect that stark reality.
In a way, Milutinovic must be thinking dájù vu, given the similarities of his experience in Honduras, when criticism from the media forced him to leave the job during its 2006 World Cup qualification.
Milutinovic, at 63, knows what it is to succeed though, having guided Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, Nigeria and China at World Cup Finals, the only coach to do so. He took four of those teams past the first round, which is also unequalled in World Cup history, and Mexico to the brink of the semis, only to be beaten by eventual finalists Germany in a penalty shoot-out at the quarter-final stage.
Qualification
I'm certain he'll have more to say.
Much of the argument surrounding Whitmore surrounds qualification. He had played well over 130 internationals for Jamaica and four years as a professional in British football. That, too, serves as qualification. His relationship with Rene Simoes, the man touted to replace Milutinovic, would have also worked in his favour.
Having just returned from Britain and playing with a number of those now holding the back line for Jamaica, as well as Goodison, Whitmore also must have an idea of what this trusted soldier still has to offer. Goodison is playing week-in, week-out in a pro league, which means his condition should be decent. Jamaica haven't had a decent performance from their defenders for quite some time.
And let's not forget Shavar Thomas, who at the very young age of 20 was sweeping for the team. He is several years older and experienced through professional football.
It's good to see the JFF giving other coaches a chance and other people like Lenworth Hyde Sr., Paul Young, Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor, etc., have reason to hope.
Comment