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BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sports Editor
Saturday, September 20, 2008
MORANT BAY, St Thomas - Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell says he expects at least 16 overseas-based players to be invited for Jamaica's crucial CONCACAF World Cup games against Mexico and Honduras next month.
Burrell did not name these players, but said the country's most experienced players will be on parade when the Reggae Boyz tackle CONCACAF giant Mexico on October 11 and Honduras four days later at the 'The Office' in must-win games to rekindle their fading World Cup campaign.
"We will have our big team, all the experienced players will be here. I understand that for these two games, a total of 16 overseas-based players are going to be flown to Jamaica and they want to perform for Jamaica like they have never performed before," said Burrell in his address to the St Thomas FA awards ceremony held in the parish capital Thursday night.
With the Boyz in with only a mathematical chance of advancing from Group B of the CONCACAF Semi-final play-offs, Burrell continues to ooze unbelievable optimism that the Boyz will be victorious in the remaining home games, which also include one against Canada on November 19.
"I have no fear when it comes to that game on October 11, as Jamaica will perform in a way that will blow your mind. The players are aware and believe me that on the day under coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, we are going to assemble 11 players who will destroy the Mexican team at 'The Office', the JFF head said to rousing applause.
Following their three away matches, Jamaica sit at the bottom of the qualifying group with only a point which they earned in a 1-1 tie against Canada in Toronto on August 20, but went down to Mexico 0-3 inside the fearsome Azteca on September 6 and then 0-2 to Honduras four days later.
Those results put the Boyz's campaign for South Africa 2010 on the critical list, but Burrell was not about to give up and executed an immediate shake-up in the coaching ranks when he fired Brazilian technical director, Rene Simoes, and his Brazilian staff.
Simoes, who guided Jamaica to their only appearance at the World Cup Finals in France 1998, was accused of a flawed team selection policy as he consistently left out seasoned overseas-based pros for local-based rookies.
The Brazilian has been replaced by former England and Liverpool star, Jamaica-born John Barnes, who will take up his appointment on November 1 as head coach. Jamaica's World Cup hero Whitmore, installed in an interim position, will pilot the team in the do-or-die fixtures against Mexico and Honduras.
Burrell, on his second watch as JFF president, said Whitmore will no doubt inspire the players to rise above the seemingly insurmountable odds, and they will inspire motive themselves as they are fully aware of the team's situation.
"My dear friends, remember I told you this in St Thomas that the players are going to be very focused because they realise that if we falter, this would badly affect the football programmes," said the successful businessman.
Burrell also called on the people of Jamaica for their full support and urged them to come out in their numbers as they Boyz seek to breathe new life into the gaping campaign.
"I am challenging Jamaicans to turn out in your numbers to support your Reggae Boyz team and we will be victorious. We, as we aim to fill that stadium, have reduced the price for the Bleachers from $1,500 and $1,000," he said.
Meanwhile, Burrell, whose company, the Captain's Bakery and Grill sponsors the St Thomas Major League, expressed disappointment with the poor discipline of fans and players in the final between champions Springrain Youth Club and Delta Force Youth Club at the York Oval in June.
"I understand last season the discipline was not so good, but I always say that everyone deserves a chance. And I am prepared to give the chance to those who misbehaved, but I will implore you to improve on the disciplinary aspect of things because no sponsor is going to put his money where there is indiscipline, where there is embarrassment, you do that, and sponsors will walk away from you," warned the Captain's Bakery principal.
At Thursday's function, FIFA assistant referee, Ricardo Morgan, who officiated at the Beijing Olympics, was specially honoured. Also retired referee, James 'Jimmy' Palmer, was also recognised for sterling service to refereeing in the parish and beyond.
Other special awardees were Reggae Boy and St Thomas native Demar Phillips, Romaine Bowers and Kavin Boscom.
Rushawn Mowatt of champions Springrain was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Yallahs' Alrick Richards, with 12 goals, took home the trophy and prize money for Leading Goalscorer.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
MORANT BAY, St Thomas - Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell says he expects at least 16 overseas-based players to be invited for Jamaica's crucial CONCACAF World Cup games against Mexico and Honduras next month.
Burrell did not name these players, but said the country's most experienced players will be on parade when the Reggae Boyz tackle CONCACAF giant Mexico on October 11 and Honduras four days later at the 'The Office' in must-win games to rekindle their fading World Cup campaign.
"We will have our big team, all the experienced players will be here. I understand that for these two games, a total of 16 overseas-based players are going to be flown to Jamaica and they want to perform for Jamaica like they have never performed before," said Burrell in his address to the St Thomas FA awards ceremony held in the parish capital Thursday night.
With the Boyz in with only a mathematical chance of advancing from Group B of the CONCACAF Semi-final play-offs, Burrell continues to ooze unbelievable optimism that the Boyz will be victorious in the remaining home games, which also include one against Canada on November 19.
"I have no fear when it comes to that game on October 11, as Jamaica will perform in a way that will blow your mind. The players are aware and believe me that on the day under coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, we are going to assemble 11 players who will destroy the Mexican team at 'The Office', the JFF head said to rousing applause.
Following their three away matches, Jamaica sit at the bottom of the qualifying group with only a point which they earned in a 1-1 tie against Canada in Toronto on August 20, but went down to Mexico 0-3 inside the fearsome Azteca on September 6 and then 0-2 to Honduras four days later.
Those results put the Boyz's campaign for South Africa 2010 on the critical list, but Burrell was not about to give up and executed an immediate shake-up in the coaching ranks when he fired Brazilian technical director, Rene Simoes, and his Brazilian staff.
Simoes, who guided Jamaica to their only appearance at the World Cup Finals in France 1998, was accused of a flawed team selection policy as he consistently left out seasoned overseas-based pros for local-based rookies.
The Brazilian has been replaced by former England and Liverpool star, Jamaica-born John Barnes, who will take up his appointment on November 1 as head coach. Jamaica's World Cup hero Whitmore, installed in an interim position, will pilot the team in the do-or-die fixtures against Mexico and Honduras.
Burrell, on his second watch as JFF president, said Whitmore will no doubt inspire the players to rise above the seemingly insurmountable odds, and they will inspire motive themselves as they are fully aware of the team's situation.
"My dear friends, remember I told you this in St Thomas that the players are going to be very focused because they realise that if we falter, this would badly affect the football programmes," said the successful businessman.
Burrell also called on the people of Jamaica for their full support and urged them to come out in their numbers as they Boyz seek to breathe new life into the gaping campaign.
"I am challenging Jamaicans to turn out in your numbers to support your Reggae Boyz team and we will be victorious. We, as we aim to fill that stadium, have reduced the price for the Bleachers from $1,500 and $1,000," he said.
Meanwhile, Burrell, whose company, the Captain's Bakery and Grill sponsors the St Thomas Major League, expressed disappointment with the poor discipline of fans and players in the final between champions Springrain Youth Club and Delta Force Youth Club at the York Oval in June.
"I understand last season the discipline was not so good, but I always say that everyone deserves a chance. And I am prepared to give the chance to those who misbehaved, but I will implore you to improve on the disciplinary aspect of things because no sponsor is going to put his money where there is indiscipline, where there is embarrassment, you do that, and sponsors will walk away from you," warned the Captain's Bakery principal.
At Thursday's function, FIFA assistant referee, Ricardo Morgan, who officiated at the Beijing Olympics, was specially honoured. Also retired referee, James 'Jimmy' Palmer, was also recognised for sterling service to refereeing in the parish and beyond.
Other special awardees were Reggae Boy and St Thomas native Demar Phillips, Romaine Bowers and Kavin Boscom.
Rushawn Mowatt of champions Springrain was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Yallahs' Alrick Richards, with 12 goals, took home the trophy and prize money for Leading Goalscorer.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and CEO of the Captain's Bakery and Grill, Captain Horace Burrell (2nd left) joins St Thomas FA president Albert Pennant (left) in presenting the Major League trophy to Springrain's Rushawn Mowatt (second right) and Janet James at the awards ceremony held at Village Green in Morant Bay, St Thomas, Thursday night. (Photo: Sean Williams) 
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