May 8 has been set as the new start date for the 2009 season announced by the TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene this week.
W Connection’s CFU Club Champions Cup Second Round second leg away clash against Cavaly Sportif of Haiti on Friday and a recent request by newly appointed Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head Coach Russell Latapy for availability of players for upcoming training days were the main issues highlighted for the change in date.
“The ( TT Pro) League looked at a number of factors and felt that it was in the best interest of its stakeholders to shift the start of the League,” said Skeene following a Board Meeting held at the League’s Office on Wednesday afternoon.
Latapy in a meeting with the Pro League coaches on Wednesday morning at the LOC 2010 office at Kantac Plaza requested six days in the upcoming two weeks with local players in preparation for June 6 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week have been granted to Latapy and the National Team’s effort in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In addition to the six days during the upcoming weeks, it will be followed by one day per week afforded for the national team training until the June 6 qualifier by the Pro League clubs.
“These adjustments will still allow the 2009 season to run with its full schedule of two rounds and not conflict with national matches,” added the Pro League CEO.
With eleven teams—San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, Joe Public, Caledonia AIA, St Ann’s Rangers, United Petrotrin, Defence Force, Ma Pau SC, Tobago United, Police FC and FC South End—inside this season’s line-up Skeene believes that 2009 will be the best ever.
“The League is still awaiting official word of the participation of the National U20s. However with the teams registered this season we are excited and believe that 2009 will be a fulfilling and rewarding not withstanding the present global and economic challenges.
“It is no secret that some teams have already been affected by it. And although it is not business as usual, all teams are committed to the overall development of the League and it will challenge their innovative and managerial expertise in ensuring the sustainability of the clubs and the (Pro) League,” Skeene concluded.
W Connection left Trinidad on Wednesday afternoon for Haiti in efforts to qualify for the CFU Final Round and are in a comfortable position to do so, following last week Monday’s 3-1 win over Cavaly Sportif at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
In related CFU Club Champions Cup news San Juan Jabloteh jumped into the Final Round following a 3-1 win against Inter Moengo Tapoe in Suriname in their second leg clash and an overall 5:2 aggregate victory.
The Final Round of the competition will be hosted in Trinidad from May 15-17.