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Tuesday, February 29, 2000
Jamaican Football.....after Simoes!
Rene Simoes has decided to leave our shores. We all knew that this day would come. What surprised some of us, however, was his departure, coming as it seems, out of the blue. Simoes was, ironically, a victim of his own success. The Massive, and indeed all Jamaica, were intoxicated with our rapid advance in 'World Football.' This led to greater expectations. All Jamaicans, who followed the fortunes of the Reggae Boyz, expected a continuation of the swift climb up the 'FIFA Rankings' chart. When the results were not consistently a winning one, there were calls for a shake up.
We are a people who believe in 'our destiny' to excel. The foregoing sentence is used advisedly. Listen and you will hear Jamaicans expound that we are God's chosen people. The utterances would have you believe that we are ordained to rise to great heights of excellence. It matters not, the field of endeavor. When you think of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Norman Washington Manley, Sir Alexander Bustamante, Hugh Lawson Shearer, Michael Manley, men who made us proud on the world's stage...Honorable Robert Nesta Marley, whose music reverberates around the world, our world acclaimed athletes, George 'Atlas' Headley, Gordon O'Neil 'Collie' Smith, Alfred Valentine, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, those heroes of 1952, Dr. Arthur Wint, Honorable Herb McKenley, George Rhoden, Leslie Laing...the exploits of Lennox 'Billy' Miller, Donald 'DQ' Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson-Small, Deon Hennings and other outstanding Jamaicans too numerous to mention...all the fore-mentioned were at some time considered among the best in the world. This belief in ourselves is understandable. Certainly, as individuals we believe that there are no mountains we cannot conquer. The Jamaica Football Federation and any one who dare to accept the challenge of becoming our National Coach should have no illusions, 'We expect!...No!...We demand that Jamaica's football development move us to the pinnacle of World Football !'
There has been, from the days of Lindy Delaphena/Gillie Heron....Allan 'Skill' Cole....John Barnes....to the present day, the belief that as individuals our players could stand with the best in the world and hold their own. It is as a team that we have fared poorly. We could argue the 'whys and wherefores' until we are blue in the face and we would eventually return to the truism that only four national coaches have had successes that hint of glory to come. They were Jorge Penna, George Thompson, Carl Brown and Rene Simoes. These coaches were the only national coaches who were given a modicum of support by the ruling football bodies. It is ironic that Thompson and Brown, the two locals were given far less support, (and the disparity in support makes that an understatement), than the two foreign coaches. Penna and Simoes were given support that made it possible to choose their players from a wider pool. Penna could afford to choose from an islandwide base and, Simoes could afford to scout on an international level. It is not, so difficult, to see what could be done if there was totally adequate supply of funds. It should not be difficult to see that the successor to Simoes must have at his disposal the funds to leave 'no stone unturned' in the drive to take our football to the top of the world.
The JFF has become complacent. FIFA has taught all national associations by FIFA's own example that planning for a World Cup campaign begins at least eight years before the event. Jamaica had become the envy of the Caribbean and indeed of all the countries that comprise the Football Federation ( the former Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Football Associations). All these countries to some degree adopted the 'Jamaican Plan' and with a vengeance are working assiduously to fulfill their dream of reaching the World Cup Final competition in 2002. The JFF fell asleep. The administrators became intoxicated with the adulation heaped on them and forgot that 2002 was, but, a moment away. There is a saying that...'behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.' Being bounced out of the Gold Cup should be seen by the JFF as a call to arms...a warning to get back on track. Arriving at the World Cup Finals in 1998 was, but, one step on the road to the pinnacle of football.
The JFF has a blue print to follow. Jamaica under the leadership of Captain Horace Burrell had been to the World Cup Finals. The blue print may need to be modified. The plans have to be strengthened. The competition will be stronger. The enthusiasm that the administrators and the entire squad showed in the France '98 campaign has to be recaptured. The Jamaican Government, Jamaican Private Sector and Jamaicans throughout the entire world must...must throw their unreserved commitment to the task. The ReggaeBoyz Supporterz Club is wholeheartedly behind the effort and will do everything in its power to advance the cause. The ReggaeBoyz Supporters Club believes that there is nothing in our past that suggests qualification for the 'big dance' in 2002 is beyond us. Forward on the 'Orient Express.'
Captain Horace Burrell has made the first move, by clearly demonstrating that the search to fill the void left by Rene Simoes has begun. Jamaica has come to expect, from Captain Burrell, firm and decisive leadership. He had piloted the effort that resulted in our appearance in the '98 Finals. He is perfectly suited to led us on this mission. We are confident the nation will provide the support needed on this new mission...on with the programme, forward on the 'Orient Express.'
Do we need to shout it? OUR FOOTBALL WILL BE FINE!
This artice has been viewed 294 times.
http://www.reggaeboyzsc.com/editorials.aspx?val=%&id=12
Tuesday, February 29, 2000
Jamaican Football.....after Simoes!
Rene Simoes has decided to leave our shores. We all knew that this day would come. What surprised some of us, however, was his departure, coming as it seems, out of the blue. Simoes was, ironically, a victim of his own success. The Massive, and indeed all Jamaica, were intoxicated with our rapid advance in 'World Football.' This led to greater expectations. All Jamaicans, who followed the fortunes of the Reggae Boyz, expected a continuation of the swift climb up the 'FIFA Rankings' chart. When the results were not consistently a winning one, there were calls for a shake up.
We are a people who believe in 'our destiny' to excel. The foregoing sentence is used advisedly. Listen and you will hear Jamaicans expound that we are God's chosen people. The utterances would have you believe that we are ordained to rise to great heights of excellence. It matters not, the field of endeavor. When you think of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Norman Washington Manley, Sir Alexander Bustamante, Hugh Lawson Shearer, Michael Manley, men who made us proud on the world's stage...Honorable Robert Nesta Marley, whose music reverberates around the world, our world acclaimed athletes, George 'Atlas' Headley, Gordon O'Neil 'Collie' Smith, Alfred Valentine, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, those heroes of 1952, Dr. Arthur Wint, Honorable Herb McKenley, George Rhoden, Leslie Laing...the exploits of Lennox 'Billy' Miller, Donald 'DQ' Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson-Small, Deon Hennings and other outstanding Jamaicans too numerous to mention...all the fore-mentioned were at some time considered among the best in the world. This belief in ourselves is understandable. Certainly, as individuals we believe that there are no mountains we cannot conquer. The Jamaica Football Federation and any one who dare to accept the challenge of becoming our National Coach should have no illusions, 'We expect!...No!...We demand that Jamaica's football development move us to the pinnacle of World Football !'
There has been, from the days of Lindy Delaphena/Gillie Heron....Allan 'Skill' Cole....John Barnes....to the present day, the belief that as individuals our players could stand with the best in the world and hold their own. It is as a team that we have fared poorly. We could argue the 'whys and wherefores' until we are blue in the face and we would eventually return to the truism that only four national coaches have had successes that hint of glory to come. They were Jorge Penna, George Thompson, Carl Brown and Rene Simoes. These coaches were the only national coaches who were given a modicum of support by the ruling football bodies. It is ironic that Thompson and Brown, the two locals were given far less support, (and the disparity in support makes that an understatement), than the two foreign coaches. Penna and Simoes were given support that made it possible to choose their players from a wider pool. Penna could afford to choose from an islandwide base and, Simoes could afford to scout on an international level. It is not, so difficult, to see what could be done if there was totally adequate supply of funds. It should not be difficult to see that the successor to Simoes must have at his disposal the funds to leave 'no stone unturned' in the drive to take our football to the top of the world.
The JFF has become complacent. FIFA has taught all national associations by FIFA's own example that planning for a World Cup campaign begins at least eight years before the event. Jamaica had become the envy of the Caribbean and indeed of all the countries that comprise the Football Federation ( the former Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Football Associations). All these countries to some degree adopted the 'Jamaican Plan' and with a vengeance are working assiduously to fulfill their dream of reaching the World Cup Final competition in 2002. The JFF fell asleep. The administrators became intoxicated with the adulation heaped on them and forgot that 2002 was, but, a moment away. There is a saying that...'behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.' Being bounced out of the Gold Cup should be seen by the JFF as a call to arms...a warning to get back on track. Arriving at the World Cup Finals in 1998 was, but, one step on the road to the pinnacle of football.
The JFF has a blue print to follow. Jamaica under the leadership of Captain Horace Burrell had been to the World Cup Finals. The blue print may need to be modified. The plans have to be strengthened. The competition will be stronger. The enthusiasm that the administrators and the entire squad showed in the France '98 campaign has to be recaptured. The Jamaican Government, Jamaican Private Sector and Jamaicans throughout the entire world must...must throw their unreserved commitment to the task. The ReggaeBoyz Supporterz Club is wholeheartedly behind the effort and will do everything in its power to advance the cause. The ReggaeBoyz Supporters Club believes that there is nothing in our past that suggests qualification for the 'big dance' in 2002 is beyond us. Forward on the 'Orient Express.'
Captain Horace Burrell has made the first move, by clearly demonstrating that the search to fill the void left by Rene Simoes has begun. Jamaica has come to expect, from Captain Burrell, firm and decisive leadership. He had piloted the effort that resulted in our appearance in the '98 Finals. He is perfectly suited to led us on this mission. We are confident the nation will provide the support needed on this new mission...on with the programme, forward on the 'Orient Express.'
Do we need to shout it? OUR FOOTBALL WILL BE FINE!
This artice has been viewed 294 times.
http://www.reggaeboyzsc.com/editorials.aspx?val=%&id=12