Change for Progress Structure of the Leagues
That is the theme for a football symposium set up and to be chaired by CONCACAF President Jack Warner with the aim of restructuring local football for the better at the Ken Galt Hall, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya from 9:30am to 5pm this Saturday January 21.
All the major stakeholders in the local football arena including representatives from the T&T Pro League, National Super League, Regional Associations and Community Leagues as well as those from the general public have been invited to attend the event.
Speaking from his CONCACAF Office at Edward Street, Port of Spain on Friday, Warner, special adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, explained the objective for the Symposium.
An overview of our football reveals there is an absence of unified purpose in the general administration of the sport at all levels as evidenced by the operations of our various Leagues and Associations that have been trying with limited success to cater for the needs of all who play football, Warner stated.
The lack of a clear objective is reflected on the field of play at every single level of the game in this country. It is obvious that if we are to experience any kind of improvement in the local game, some clear objectives must me articulated. We are suggesting that the objectives of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation be two fold with aim to produce national teams that will do credit to Trinidad and Tobago and secondly to provide recreation and enjoyment for all through football.
Warner also hinted that attempts to extend the period of the Secondary Schools League season as well as start playing more games under lights during the week to facilitate players who may be in school or living lengthy distances from match venues.
This has also come about because of the recent problems we had in getting our players to get time off from the schools in order to represent the country in international youth matches. When you look at the development of the game globally, particularly in some of our countries CONCACAF who we faced in the recent qualifying series you will realize that if we not pick up our selves we will be left behind in the world of football, Warner added.
Ensuring that all coaches dealing with teams from the primary to senior level are certified will also among the topics for discussion.
Some names listed to attend include CONCACAF technical director Keith Look Loy, T&T head coach Bertille St Clair, TTFF technical director Lincoln Phillips, TTFF President Oliver Camps and Vice Presidents Rudolph Thomas and Raymond Tim Kee, Minister in the Ministry of Culture Eddie Hart, Dr Alvin Henderson, SSFL President Ewing Davis, Alvin Corneal, FIFA medical panel member Dr Terrence Babwah, Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, Sedley Joseph, Muhammad Isa, Eddie Hart, North East Stars owner Darryl Mahabir and sports personality Anil Spalksman Roberts.