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Desperate to qualify for its first World Cup, barbados has been advertising in Europe and North America for players to compete for the small Caribbean island.
The former british colony, ranked 142 out of 201 countries by FIFA, is allowed to only to recruit first-generation Barbadians born overseas. But Ronald Jones, president of the Barbados Football Association, said officials have requested permission to pursue the second generation as well.
"If we want to take football to the next level, we need to have an ability to reach into wherever Barbadians are," Jones said.
The recruitment campaign has generated strong interest and the Bajan Braves could include at least 13 foreign-born players on their 25-member roster. The association has bought newspaper Ads in the USA, Germany, Italy and England.
"Give Barbados a chance," a posting on the association's website said. "Are you Barbadian by birth, nationality or descent? Let us check it out for you."
A similar effort in 2002 helped Barbados field a team that reached the 2002 CONCACAF semifinals, said Charles Husbands, the association's senior assistant secretary.
"Our aim is to go beyond that this time," Husband said.
Barbados will play Dominica on Wednesday in its first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup, which will be played in South Africa.
- The Associated Press
The former british colony, ranked 142 out of 201 countries by FIFA, is allowed to only to recruit first-generation Barbadians born overseas. But Ronald Jones, president of the Barbados Football Association, said officials have requested permission to pursue the second generation as well.
"If we want to take football to the next level, we need to have an ability to reach into wherever Barbadians are," Jones said.
The recruitment campaign has generated strong interest and the Bajan Braves could include at least 13 foreign-born players on their 25-member roster. The association has bought newspaper Ads in the USA, Germany, Italy and England.
"Give Barbados a chance," a posting on the association's website said. "Are you Barbadian by birth, nationality or descent? Let us check it out for you."
A similar effort in 2002 helped Barbados field a team that reached the 2002 CONCACAF semifinals, said Charles Husbands, the association's senior assistant secretary.
"Our aim is to go beyond that this time," Husband said.
Barbados will play Dominica on Wednesday in its first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup, which will be played in South Africa.
- The Associated Press