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JFF boss pleads for Under-23 Reggae Boyz
HOWARD WALKER, Observer writer
Saturday, August 18, 2007
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Crenston Boxhill has made a fervent plea for corporate Jamaica to come to the rescue of the nation's Under-23 team as they embark on their quest for an unprecedented qualification to the Olympic Games.
Boxhill, on his way out as local football's boss, said it will cost some $2 million for the team's preparation and to participate in the Caribbean qualification tournament to be played in Aruba from September 9-13. Drawn in Group B, Jamaica will also face Antigua & Barmuda and Barbados.
"In fact I want to use this opportunity to urge corporate Jamaica to assist the federation with the costs... including the airfare cost which runs a total of just over $2 million. I call on Jamaica to provide the necessary support (as) Jamaica have never qualified for the Olympics and we are seeking to maximise all from this effort," urged Boxhill, as he delivered a speech at the Wray and Nephew National Premier League Awards Ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel Thursday night.
He noted that Jamaica's football needs to follow up on the success of the Under-20 team at recent Pan Am Games in Brazil.
"We cannot let off from the recent momentum from our national Under-20s at the Pan Am Games in Brazil," Boxhill said.
The Young Reggae Boyz created history by becoming the only Jamaican team to win a medal at an international recognised tournament by placing second behind Ecuador.
Their impressive run included victories over world power houses Argentina 2-0, Mexico 5-4 on penalties after playing to a 0-0 draw, Colombia 1-0 and a 4-0 thrashing of Caribbean neighbours Haiti.
In the gold medal showdown, the Young Reggae Boyz led Ecuador 1-0 until the 79th minute before giving up two late goals to lose 1-2.
"Therefore ladies and gentlemen, the team preparing for Olympic qualifications will begin training on August 21, breaking for the period of national elections, and resuming immediately after... I have been reliably informed by Wendell Downswell (coach) that the training squad will include over 50 per cent of our Pan Am silver medal team," said Boxhill.
HOWARD WALKER, Observer writer
Saturday, August 18, 2007
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Crenston Boxhill has made a fervent plea for corporate Jamaica to come to the rescue of the nation's Under-23 team as they embark on their quest for an unprecedented qualification to the Olympic Games.
Boxhill, on his way out as local football's boss, said it will cost some $2 million for the team's preparation and to participate in the Caribbean qualification tournament to be played in Aruba from September 9-13. Drawn in Group B, Jamaica will also face Antigua & Barmuda and Barbados.
"In fact I want to use this opportunity to urge corporate Jamaica to assist the federation with the costs... including the airfare cost which runs a total of just over $2 million. I call on Jamaica to provide the necessary support (as) Jamaica have never qualified for the Olympics and we are seeking to maximise all from this effort," urged Boxhill, as he delivered a speech at the Wray and Nephew National Premier League Awards Ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel Thursday night.
He noted that Jamaica's football needs to follow up on the success of the Under-20 team at recent Pan Am Games in Brazil.
"We cannot let off from the recent momentum from our national Under-20s at the Pan Am Games in Brazil," Boxhill said.
The Young Reggae Boyz created history by becoming the only Jamaican team to win a medal at an international recognised tournament by placing second behind Ecuador.
Their impressive run included victories over world power houses Argentina 2-0, Mexico 5-4 on penalties after playing to a 0-0 draw, Colombia 1-0 and a 4-0 thrashing of Caribbean neighbours Haiti.
In the gold medal showdown, the Young Reggae Boyz led Ecuador 1-0 until the 79th minute before giving up two late goals to lose 1-2.
"Therefore ladies and gentlemen, the team preparing for Olympic qualifications will begin training on August 21, breaking for the period of national elections, and resuming immediately after... I have been reliably informed by Wendell Downswell (coach) that the training squad will include over 50 per cent of our Pan Am silver medal team," said Boxhill.
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