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Observer Reporter
Sunday, July 30, 2006
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Crenston Boxhill revealed in his address at Monday nights Wray & Nephew NPL Awards Ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel that he was extremely disappointed with the nation's recent result on the international stage.
As a consequence, he has noted that his administration's main priority is to upgrade the technical staff with a qualified international coach, as the nation looks towards the South Africa 2010 World Cup finals. Boxhill committed his administration to an all inclusive campaign in driving the sport forward and asked for all sectors of the Jamaican community to get involved in helping the process. Today we publish the second and final part of the president's speech.
Of course practice games at home and away will be the main test and around which much of the needed support will revolve.
On September 4, the Jamaican national team will play Canada in Toronto. On October 8, we will have a return match at the office.
Five weeks later, on November 15, the national team will face three-time World Cup qualifier and number 42 in current FIFA rankings, Peru, again at the National Stadium. We expect that this momentum will steadily grow over the next few months. Our aim remains to have a match home or away each month.
In the middle of these international games, our senior team will defend their regional title, the Digicel Caribbean Cup with one round being played here in Jamaica at the end of September.
Another important plank in our plan will be to ensure that the best and most committed of the Under-23s get all the support, exposure and experience possible.
Last night's result was hugely disappointing, but I have no doubt that these players have the talent. Much has been invested in their development and we will continue to give them the support so that the best can emerge.
We are too often getting stuck at the level of CONCACAF in major tournaments, hence our determination to revamp our technical department. We also have to look at the number of overseas games that our players play, but this is an area that demands resources and I continue to make the plea for support in this area.
The next big test for this Under-21 squad will be the Olympic games in 2008 which will give a good indicator of their progress at just about the right time. But I expect that many of the players will be involved in other tournaments along the way.
We must put the systems in place and facilitate their growth. Once we do that then its over to the coaches and the players to do the rest. I believe it is the sustainable way for football and player development in Jamaica.
Ladies and gentlemen, this leads me to an important point which I want to use this opportunity to address.
There has been some questioning of the execution of our youth development policy and its relationship with the senior team.
Whereas I will never be the one to say that all elements that I would have liked to have been implemented, have been, I can confidently say that we have made a distinct change in gear.
The research confirms it. I looked at the current members of the Under-23s presently in Colombia. Nine members of the squad there now also played at the Under-20 level and seven of that nine played at the Under-17 level. (I have omitted Luton Shelton because though he would be part of the equation, he is presently not in Colombia).
In a couple of weeks August 12 in fact, our Under-17s leave to defend the title of Caribbean Youth Champions which they achieved last year. This was a first time achievement for Jamaica.
Under new coach David Hunt, they have been in week-end camps since January and will be a part of 28 teams competing in defence of their title in August.
That tournament will be an important stage in the preparation for the Under-17 World Cup in South Korea next year, which will include a qualification round in April in Jamaica.
Much has already been said
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