Skeene: T&T football will rise again

“The road to 2018 Russia begins today,” belted Skeene in his opening remarks at the Toyota Box, Constantine Stand of the Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road, Port of Spain to launch the tournament that features the six active Pro League clubs and the top eight Super League clubs.

“Trinidad and Tobago’s football will rise again like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes,” he continued.

“The fact that we are no longer in the race to qualify for Brazil 2014 presents to all of us who claim to love football and Trinidad and Tobago’s football in particular, the opportunity to reveal our true colours.

As I sat in the uncovered stands with Clayton Morris, my teammate, watching the game T&T played against Guyana on Tuesday (at the Hasely Crawford Stadium), with about 500 other spectators. The thought struck me that you really only know your true friends when you are in trouble and the chips are down.

I want Trinidad and Tobago Football to know that they have a friend in the TT Pro League, clubs, owners, coaches and players we all are in this together.”

Skeene’s audience included club members of TT Pro League clubs T&TEC FC, W Connection, Adam’s Construction San Juan Jabloteh, DIRECTV North East Stars, St. Ann’s Rangers and Caledonia AIA and Super League outfits Joe Public, Stokely Vale, WASA FC, Tobago Phoenix, Club Sando, Eagles, West Side and Real Maracas all making up the sixteen (16) teams that makes up this seasons Toyota Classic.

He added, “The current situation facing T&T football in general, affords us the opportunity to create the future. How we move forward, how we learn and how we improve is much more important than wallowing in self pity, lack of confidence and despair.”

A former player himself, Skeene said it has been a challenging year to say the least for the TT Pro League and T&T football on the whole.

“But all that has happened is that our resolve has been strengthened. FIFA World Cup 2014 is history for T&T as far as participating in the World Cup, however FIFA 2018 beckons. I urge all the clubs participating in the Toyota Classic to use the opportunity to showcase the best of local football.

As I do every year I wish to thank Toyota and their marketing team for their unstinting support of the TT Pro League and in particular the Toyota Classic. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the Ministry of Sport and the media for their support.

The TT Pro League continues to offer our talented footballers the opportunity to earn a living and develop their life and football skills while building a career in professional football.

I also wish to thank Mr. Anthony Harford, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and National Super League for their cooperative spirit and it is an example of how we can all work together for the common good of football and the youth.

Toyota understands and shares the hopes and visions of the league. As such it is always a pleasure discussing the challenges and solutions with them, given their understanding of the vision, mission and values of the league,” concluded the Pro League CEO.

The 2011 Toyota Classic begins on Tuesday 22nd November with the preliminary round, followed by the quarter-final round on the 25th and 26th November with the semi-final round and Final on the 2nd and 9th of December respectively.

2011 Toyota Classic
Preliminary Round
Tuesday 22nd November
Hasely Crawford Stadium
Joe Public vs Tobago Phoenix—5pm
San Juan Jabloteh vs Real Maracas—7pm

Mannie Ramjohn Stadium
St. Ann’s Rangers vs Eagles—5pm
Caledonia AIA vs Club Sando—7pm

Larry Gomes Stadium
WASA vs Stokely Vale—5pm
North East Stars vs West Side—7pm

Quarter Final Round
Friday 25th November
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium

Saturday 26th November
Larry Gomes Stadium

Semi Final Round
Friday 02nd December

Final
Friday 09th December