The impending construction of a national training centre for all national teams affiliated with the T&T Football Association (TTFA) epitomises Fifa’s confidence and trust in the local governing body.
So said Sheldon Phillips, TTFA general secretary, who shed further light on progress made for the start of the Marabella-based project. The centre is scheduled to begin construction almost immediately following an agreement on a land lease between the TTFA and the Ministry of Sport.
“This is the anchor of our development plan. When people say we don’t have a plan, they’re sadly mistaken,” said Phillips. “Fifa is encouraged by our progress since taking office and has continued to show their trust in our association.”
Each national football outfit, from the futsal team to the senior men and women’s junior and senior teams will benefit from the construction of the much-needed training centre, which comes with an estimated US$1.8 million budget, split into three phases.
The first phase, which is expected to be completed by April but is being pushed for earlier completion, comes with a US$600,000 budget. It comprises two natural and two artificial turfs. The second two phases are budgeted at US$600,000 each and will include the installment of a beach soccer pit, a futsal pavilion, dormitories and office space for the technical staff and other features solely for the purpose of the development of the sport at the national level.
The Fifa Goal Project initiative was officially approved on May 19.
Fifa, in a description of the project on its Web site, noted that the installation of the artificial surfaces are for the benefit of all national football teams in T&T. It was quoted as saying: “The objective of the project is to establish a training location for TTFA national teams... As opponents are increasingly using artificial surface pitches and the national team programs, at present, do not have access to an artificial surface pitch in T&T it is important to create such a facility.”
Fifa is currently engaged in the tendering process and needs only clearance for use of the site in order to proceed with construction.
“Once completed, this centre will become the launching pad of the next golden generation of footballers as it will enable the TTFA to have its players and coaches in an environment completely immersed in football,” said Phillips in an interview with Socawarriors.net, a local online football forum.
“What we do know is that a training centre for the TTFA and its national teams is sorely needed.”
He said no pool or athletics facilities will be installed, but only features of a training centre specific for the development of T&T’s footballers, at both the junior and senior level.
“Though a pool provides good rehabilitative and fitness opportunities, we don't have it in the current plans. There will be two artificial pitches, two natural grass pitches, beach soccer pit, and a futsal pavilion along with the dormitory. We will also have a set of mini-pitches for the community.”
The site, next to the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, is situated in a hub of football enthusiasts, making it a fitting location for the project, according to Phillips.
“Marabella was a site we liked and the Sport Company (SporTT) highly recommended it for a number of reasons, namely because of the area's high degree of support for football,” he said.
“Every time a match is played at Manny Ramjohn you can expect a good crowd of knowledgeable football supporters. More importantly, the location is off the highway, in a populated area, next to one of the major stadiums and is on level ground with access to existing infrastructure. Fifa believes, when completed it will be the best Goal Project in the western hemisphere.”
When completed, T&T will join Concacaf powerhouses, namely USA, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica, as leading nations with a home for their national football teams.
“As more facilities are being built along the Uriah Butler corridor, the infrastructure will be there to properly present T&T as a viable option for youth and senior teams to come for training camps and tournaments. Furthermore, we can also house other NSOs and guests to create another revenue stream for the FA. Tobago is not forgotten and the president (Raymond Tim Kee) is very clear about Tobago always being part of FA plans. Tobago will not be left out, that I can guarantee,” Phillips noted in the online interview.
Phillips added that the steps being taken by the TTFA, with the hosting of regional tournaments locally to the progression being made by most national teams is being done with financial restraints. He said more can be done if and when corporate partners join the TTFA in the development and stability of the sport.