The inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Goal 2014 Project received an overwhelming response from young footballers as close to 50 more than the expected amount turned up for a total number of 75 on the opening day of the three-day camp at the Marvin Lee Stadium (MLS), Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence.
As TTFF Special Advisor and CONCACAF President Jack Warner addressed the young prospects and declared the camp open, technical director Lincoln Phillips and recently appointed T&T Senior Team assistant coach Anton Corneal led the charges on the pitch as they partook in various drills during the morning period before splitting into four teams for afternoon games at the MLS. Some of the coaches involved included Ron La Forest, Michael McComie, Michael Maurice, Brian Williams, Tobagonian Terry Williams, trainers Zeph Nicholas and Gilbert Bateau with Muhammad as the chief evaluator.
The mid-holiday camp was a welcomed sight for TTFF officials and other interested persons as the youngsters, twenty-five of them based in North America along with locally-based players both from and outside of secondary schools, braved the blistering heat at the perfectly equipped venue. A decent playing surface with proper seating and changing accommodation along with office facilities provided the campers with just the right tools for such an exercise as facility manager Sam Phillip completed the final touches at the MLS over the past couple days. The players were also taken care of with regards to gears and other requirements for the camp. Warner’s input ensure the camp came off as planned and Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago also promised to come on board for future camps.
While it has been dubbed the “Goal 2014” project with the main focus being on team selection for the 2010 World Cup and other youth tournaments, Warner encouraged the younger generation as he told them that any special talent coming out of the camp was more than likely to get a break in Leo Beenhakker’s team for Germany 2006.
“I must correct you on the talk about this being project for 2010 and 2014 alone because anyone of you here today by your performance out on the field can be good enough to have a chance with the senior team then you will be looked at,” Warner said.
“I must tell you that up to last night I received a contact from a guy who lives and plays in France and he said to me that he was interested in playing for this country because he married a Trinidadian woman and I had to say to him to enjoy his Christmas and his New Year holidays and then go back to France because he cannot play for this country because of the laws. This is just an example to show you how many of them now want to play for us from all parts of the globe,” Warner added. “This goes to also say how fortunate you are to have this chance. We do not want to say that we qualified for a World Cup in a one off situation. In the history of the Caribbean, only four countries have qualified for the World Cup – Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. And none of those other three countries have ever gone back. We must change this.”
He mentioned that it took FIFA over 100 years to give Africa to host the World Cup, the first one being in 2010 and as a result, T&T should try its best to be a participant at that event.
“We must now say that Germany is behind us and South Africa and the African continent… they are next. Whether we achieve it or not will depend on how you perform. If you perform and perform very well and by some twist of fate you don’t make it then we can be consoled that we gave it our best shot,” the FIFA Vice President added.
He also encouraged those who may not make the final cut when it is announced on Friday to continue striving as they will continue to be monitored and further chances may arise.
Warner also hinted that on Monday he will speak further about some pronouncements which have been about him.
“I don’t want you ever to allow the media or the newspapers to guide what you do in your life. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication. You must ensure that you forget about the media when you go out there to perform on the field.”
Phillips went on to say that a database will be in place for all players involved in the current program and a pool will be maintained for the preparation of all national teams for the various tournaments spearheaded by World Cup qualification.
“Another thing we must aim to instill in ourselves is the reason to believe in ourselves. Too many times we go up against other teams like Mexico and the United States and we fear them. We must now have that winning attitude and know that we can compete with these guys Mr Warner give the go ahead on the first mention of the program and we must use this to address the various issues in our football and be prepared to face the world,” Phillips told TTFF Media.
The camp continues at the Ato Boldon Stadium today and Friday.