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Boyz unwelcomed - Japanese squad resists hotel-sharing with U-17s
HOWARD WALKER in Mexico @ U-17 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Thursday, June 09, 2011
TOLUCA, Mexico — Jamaica’s World Cup Group B rivals Japan were visibly upset that they have been placed in the same hotel for their pre-World Cup camp, complaining that it is not fair play and wanted the young Reggae Boyz out of their space.
The Jamaican delegation arrived at the Fiesta Inn Hotel for their pre-World Cup camp in Toluca minutes after 1:00 yesterday morning, following approximately six hours of flying.
Members of Jamaica’s U-17 squad at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday en route to Mexico for the FIFA World Cup Finals. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)
Members of Jamaica’s U-17 squad at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday en route to Mexico for the FIFA World Cup Finals. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)
The Japanese arrived at the hotel on Tuesday and woke up yesterday only to see the bright yellow, gold and black colours staring them in the face, and were surprised and upset.
Their team manager complained to the hotel management and was seen in discussion with Jamaica’s liaison officer Diego and fitness coach Andre Edwards, who was actually at the hotel since Sunday, days before the Japanese.
But his concerns were met with deaf ears from the Jamaican delegation who suggested he took up the matter with the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Dale Spencer, head of delegation and the first vice-president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said:
“If he has an issue he ought to go to the organisers of the competition, which is FIFA, and pursue that alternative, rather than come to us.
“We have made our arrangements through the Local Organising Committee and I’m not going to get into any cross talking with him,” noted Spencer.
Incidentally, all the Group B teams — Jamaica, Japan, , and Argentina — will be staying at the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel in Monterrey, during the first stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Jamaicans’ pre-World Cup camp between June 7-14 was made possible by Digicel’s $4.2-million sponsorship and will see them play two practice games, on June 10 and 13, before they head for the official opening of the World Cup on June 14.
The young Reggae Boyz are set to play Japan on June 18 before tackling Argentina three days later, and France on June 24, to complete their first-round set of games.
The young Jamaicans, after travelling via Panama to Mexico, got a taste of what World Cup was like when they were met at the airport by a throng of FIFA officials and police officers.
Upon departing the airport, they were escorted by at least five heavily armed, light-flashing police units and two bike outriders for their hour-long drive to Toluca.
The Jamaicans were scheduled to have a training session at 6:00 pm yesterday, which would basically involve familiarising themselves with their new environment.
“It will be mainly adaptation, team shape in mostly 10 minutes spurts,” said head coach Wendell Downswell.
“These guys are complaining already about the high altitude,” Downswell added.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1OnFvX794
HOWARD WALKER in Mexico @ U-17 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Thursday, June 09, 2011
TOLUCA, Mexico — Jamaica’s World Cup Group B rivals Japan were visibly upset that they have been placed in the same hotel for their pre-World Cup camp, complaining that it is not fair play and wanted the young Reggae Boyz out of their space.
The Jamaican delegation arrived at the Fiesta Inn Hotel for their pre-World Cup camp in Toluca minutes after 1:00 yesterday morning, following approximately six hours of flying.
Members of Jamaica’s U-17 squad at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday en route to Mexico for the FIFA World Cup Finals. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)
Members of Jamaica’s U-17 squad at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday en route to Mexico for the FIFA World Cup Finals. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)
The Japanese arrived at the hotel on Tuesday and woke up yesterday only to see the bright yellow, gold and black colours staring them in the face, and were surprised and upset.
Their team manager complained to the hotel management and was seen in discussion with Jamaica’s liaison officer Diego and fitness coach Andre Edwards, who was actually at the hotel since Sunday, days before the Japanese.
But his concerns were met with deaf ears from the Jamaican delegation who suggested he took up the matter with the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Dale Spencer, head of delegation and the first vice-president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said:
“If he has an issue he ought to go to the organisers of the competition, which is FIFA, and pursue that alternative, rather than come to us.
“We have made our arrangements through the Local Organising Committee and I’m not going to get into any cross talking with him,” noted Spencer.
Incidentally, all the Group B teams — Jamaica, Japan, , and Argentina — will be staying at the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel in Monterrey, during the first stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Jamaicans’ pre-World Cup camp between June 7-14 was made possible by Digicel’s $4.2-million sponsorship and will see them play two practice games, on June 10 and 13, before they head for the official opening of the World Cup on June 14.
The young Reggae Boyz are set to play Japan on June 18 before tackling Argentina three days later, and France on June 24, to complete their first-round set of games.
The young Jamaicans, after travelling via Panama to Mexico, got a taste of what World Cup was like when they were met at the airport by a throng of FIFA officials and police officers.
Upon departing the airport, they were escorted by at least five heavily armed, light-flashing police units and two bike outriders for their hour-long drive to Toluca.
The Jamaicans were scheduled to have a training session at 6:00 pm yesterday, which would basically involve familiarising themselves with their new environment.
“It will be mainly adaptation, team shape in mostly 10 minutes spurts,” said head coach Wendell Downswell.
“These guys are complaining already about the high altitude,” Downswell added.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1OnFvX794
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