Five weeks into the 2012-2013 season: an inaugural Digicel Charity Shield, the start of the Digicel Pro League Championship and a recently concluded First Citizens Cup, the TT Pro League is on track.
More so, the League is on target insisted CEO Dexter Skeene.
“We are very pleased with the opening month of our activities,” said Skeene, a former Trinidad and Tobago international and a graduate of Colombia University.
“At the beginning of the (season) we had two strategic imperatives: one was to ensure that we improve the attendance at League games, and secondly to improve the game atmosphere.
And I am pleased to say that we have achieved these objectives. If we look at the Final of the First Citizens Cup there were a couple thousand people attending the game.
And when we looked at the atmosphere, we got rave reviews from all of the different media. So we are very happy with that. I think we are bang on target and we are looking to roll out some more initiatives as we go along into the 2012-2013 season.”
Defending League winners W Connection snatched the first trophy of the season—the Digicel Charity Shield—which was contested between the League winners (Connection) and the Digicel Pro Bowl winners, Defence Force on September 7. Connection won the match 2-0.
And after Match Day One of the League Championship, the TT Pro League made a turn for the First Citizens Cup which concluded on Friday 5 October at Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium with defending champs Caledonia AIA defeating Defence Force 2-1 to retain the title.
Skeene credited First Citizens long-standing support, pointing out that former First Citizens CEO Larry Howai was the visionary of the now decade long partnership.
“He started as the first sponsor in the TT Pro League. (First Citizens) saw what it meant to be indigenous, what it meant to be local, what it meant to develop your local capital and hats off to him and the staff at present now continuing the partnership. This partnership will only grow from strength to strength,” said the League CEO.
With smooth sailing in the opening month and somewhat of an attractive turnout of spectators, the League Championship continues with Match Day Two this coming weekend following a two-week break which allowed the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team access to players for the first round of the Caribbean Cup in which the Warriors easily topped Group 5 with wins over French Guiana (4-1), hosts St Kitts (1-0) and Anguilla (10-0).
“The TT Pro League understands its role and functions in Trinidad and Tobago Football," continued Skeene. “We are also ensuring that the youngsters have the opportunity to play professional football, and that we provide the forum in terms of earning a living by playing professional football.”
On Friday the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium will come alive as newcomers Central FC takes on Police FC from 6pm and silverware boasting Connection and Caledonia meet each other from 8pm.
And on Saturday the action moves to the Hasely Crawford Stadium with St. Ann’s Rangers against T&TEC FC from 5pm and Defence Force against League leaders North East Stars from 7pm.
Commenting further on the developments of the League, Skeene added, “[This season] we increased the brand extension by including the Digicel Charity Sheild. So we are adding to the attraction of the League.
“We are also improving in the marketing and promotion of the games. We are now looking at digital advertising where we are going to be hitting PTSC and all of the transits, pharmacies and gas stations.
“When we look at the English Premiership, they are front of mind in all of the people and that’s what we are looking to do. We are looking to ensure that wherever people go, they see TT Pro League, TT Pro League players, coaches and TT Pro League football.”
Skeene said that the League hopes to have young footballers as household names as it was in the past while creating stars and try to link the football and ensure that it becomes an emotional topic again.
He said based on market surveys done at recent matches, people are attracted by the entertainment package.
“Whether you like it or not, this is entertainment. It’s not just about football like long ago. We now have to compete with the bars and other attractions on Ariapita Avenue and all over Trinidad.
And I think we now understand what this thing is about. It’s about having fun-loving excitement and entertainment for the entire family where people can come and really enjoy a high standard of football, because there is a high standard of football.
When we look at the (First Citizens Cup) Final between Caledonia AIA and Defence Force, it was excellent. All indicators showing that we are going to have a very exciting and competitive season. And I think it’s going to go down to the wire until May 2013. So that again says a lot for the TT Pro League.