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Witty Bora eyes sixth World Cup<DIV class=KonaBody>
andrew smith - Jamaica Football Federation President Crenston Boxhill gestures as he speaks with Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic at the Gleaner Company yesterday.
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
He strolls through the door with a pleasant grin on his face and proceeds to shake the hand of everyone in the room.
"Good day, good day," he says in broken English, his intense eyes scrutinising the room and his shaggy grey hair dancing across his forehead as he moves.
This is the man they call 'Bora', born Velibor Milutinovic, who is tipped to be Jamaica's next technical director of football.
man to lead
The Serbian hasn't officially been signed as technical director, but by all indications, particularly yesterday's luncheon at The Gleaner's North Street offices where he met with a Government official and a number of private sector powerbrokers, he will be the man to lead Jamaica's qualification to the 2010 World Cup inSouth Africa.
After personally greeting everyone and showing he has a witty side, Bora, dressed in black pants and a grey jacket, responds to questions from journalists.
Milutinovic is renowned as the only man to coach five different countries at the World Cup and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is hoping he can work his magic again.
"I hope to go to my sixth World Cup," said Bora.
JFF boss Crenston Boxhill is also banking on a World Cup qualification, but there is no guarantee he will still be in charge at that time.
second to none
"His record is second to none and most importantly he is quite familiar with the CONCACAF region," said Boxhill, whose administration will face an election in November next year.
"So when you find a coach with that track record who is also familiar with CONCACAF, then I think that's a plus and that's what gives him the advantage over the other coaches."
Minister of Finance and Planning Omar Davies, represented the Government at yesterday's luncheon. The JFF has been having talks with the Government as well as the private sector to fund Bora's salary. In a Gleaner article on August 13, Bora's agent was reportedly asking 3.5 million euros per year. However, a JFF official told StarSports that the real figure is closer to US$1 million annually.
Davies yesterday confirmed that the Government would contribute a "significant" amount to the coach's salary.
"The Prime Minister and I have discussed it and we will ensure that we will do the maximum possible," said Davies yesterday.
Boxhill pointed out "we so far have gotten a commitment for approximately 60 per cent (of the coach's salary) from both the Government and private sector."
He added: "Based on the meeting we had (yesterday), I have no doubt that very shortly the other 40 per cent will be forthcoming."
no details
The exact amount of what the JFF has and what it needs is not known as no details were released since Bora hasn't officially signed any contract.
If Bora is appointed, he will take up the position at the beginning of next month. He is scheduled to leave the island on Monday and between then he will visit the football academy under construction in St. Elizabeth today, and attend a Wray and Nephew National Premier League match tomorrow.</DIV>
andrew smith - Jamaica Football Federation President Crenston Boxhill gestures as he speaks with Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic at the Gleaner Company yesterday.
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
He strolls through the door with a pleasant grin on his face and proceeds to shake the hand of everyone in the room.
"Good day, good day," he says in broken English, his intense eyes scrutinising the room and his shaggy grey hair dancing across his forehead as he moves.
This is the man they call 'Bora', born Velibor Milutinovic, who is tipped to be Jamaica's next technical director of football.
man to lead
The Serbian hasn't officially been signed as technical director, but by all indications, particularly yesterday's luncheon at The Gleaner's North Street offices where he met with a Government official and a number of private sector powerbrokers, he will be the man to lead Jamaica's qualification to the 2010 World Cup inSouth Africa.
After personally greeting everyone and showing he has a witty side, Bora, dressed in black pants and a grey jacket, responds to questions from journalists.
Milutinovic is renowned as the only man to coach five different countries at the World Cup and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is hoping he can work his magic again.
"I hope to go to my sixth World Cup," said Bora.
JFF boss Crenston Boxhill is also banking on a World Cup qualification, but there is no guarantee he will still be in charge at that time.
second to none
"His record is second to none and most importantly he is quite familiar with the CONCACAF region," said Boxhill, whose administration will face an election in November next year.
"So when you find a coach with that track record who is also familiar with CONCACAF, then I think that's a plus and that's what gives him the advantage over the other coaches."
Minister of Finance and Planning Omar Davies, represented the Government at yesterday's luncheon. The JFF has been having talks with the Government as well as the private sector to fund Bora's salary. In a Gleaner article on August 13, Bora's agent was reportedly asking 3.5 million euros per year. However, a JFF official told StarSports that the real figure is closer to US$1 million annually.
Davies yesterday confirmed that the Government would contribute a "significant" amount to the coach's salary.
"The Prime Minister and I have discussed it and we will ensure that we will do the maximum possible," said Davies yesterday.
Boxhill pointed out "we so far have gotten a commitment for approximately 60 per cent (of the coach's salary) from both the Government and private sector."
He added: "Based on the meeting we had (yesterday), I have no doubt that very shortly the other 40 per cent will be forthcoming."
no details
The exact amount of what the JFF has and what it needs is not known as no details were released since Bora hasn't officially signed any contract.
If Bora is appointed, he will take up the position at the beginning of next month. He is scheduled to leave the island on Monday and between then he will visit the football academy under construction in St. Elizabeth today, and attend a Wray and Nephew National Premier League match tomorrow.</DIV>
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