Dexter Skeene, chief executive officer of the T&T Pro League, says he gets a feeling of awe when he considers the significant progress the League has made.
Skeene made this disclosure during his address at the launch of the T&T Pro League Digicel Pro Bowl tournament held at the President’s Box, Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain on Thursday.
A former national midfielder, Skeene said he drew his conclusion while reflecting on the state of the League earlier in the day.
Looking ahead to the coming season, Skeene said the Pro League is poised to enjoy its biggest and most innovative year.
“I’m excited by the reality that the league will fall in line with the best football leagues in the world, starting in August and ending May 2012.
“The League will also be on television and radio and our players, fans and supporters will be able to follow the matches on both.” Skeene noted that through these initiatives the Pro League has not only survived, it has thrived.
‘New ownership groups and clubs, both foreign and local are expressing genuine interest while new corporate partners want to align with the league.
“In this regard our current corporate partners can rest assured that the league’s view is one of exclusivity. We want to make sure that we build relationships with corporate partners and afford them the brand platform to meet their strategic objectives.”
Reflecting on the League’s growth, Skeene noted the organisation began in a small office in St James with one sponsor and has now grown into an organisation with eight employees, four knockout tournaments, senior and youth divisions, a website and television coverage while attendances have grown considerably.
With regards to the Pro Bowl competition, Skeene said even though some may see it as the end of the season, it is in fact the beginning of a new and exciting phase of the history of professional football in T&T.
Skeene also expressed gratitude to Digicel for sharing the dream and for understanding the purpose and mission of the Pro League.
He boasted: “This is the indisputable fact and message - through football and the Digicel Pro League, you can earn an honest living, you can save and invest, you can own a car and a home, you can strive for excellence.
“The Pro League and its clubs are entrepreneurial role models”, added Skeene. Skeene also expressed condolences to Guardian Media Limited’s Kelvin Nancoo on the death of his brother, Kenwyn ‘Boom’ Nancoo, who died earlier this month in the USA. “I played against Boom in Inter-Col. He was an avid sports enthusiast, adversary and coach.”