There is no limit to what we can achieve as a nation if we are not overly concerned with who gets the credit. This point was proven last month when the Zoran Vranes-coached Trinidad & Tobago Under 20 football team qualified for the FIFA Under 20 World Championships in Egypt. Congrats to Coach Vranes, his staff and the players but equal recognition must be given to those persons who had planted the seed of development some five years before.
Corneal and his team of coaches had meager resources but he was able to convince TTFF General Secretary Richard Groden to make bread out of stone in keeping the youth programme alive. Enter Special Adviser to the TTFF Jack Warner and his brainchild - a regional Under 15 Tournament, which itself was aimed forcing Caribbean football federations to place more emphasis on youth development. The effort was truly rounded out when Keith Look Loy was retained as Technical Adviser to the TTFF in a think tank that already included Lincoln Phillips as TTFF’s Technical Director.
So for the first time since Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke back in 1979, the TTFF had an ongoing youth development programme. That team moved from a developmental squad under Anton Corneal to a national under 15 team under Ken Elie for the inaugural Caribbean Football Union Under 15 Tournament in 2005.
Two years later, in 2007, in a form of poetic justice this same nucleus of players under Anton Corneal qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Championships even as Trinidad and Tobago was still savoring its historic entry into the 2006 FIFA World Cup competition.
But it does not stop there.
Behind the scenes, a most interesting chemistry is developing. With it also comes an attitude of co-operation that suggests that the new dispensation is more concerned with achieving the goal than who gets the credit. So Corneal continues in the nursery and gives way to Russell Latapy at the top with the Senior National team. Keith Look Loy’s vast experience gathered as a teacher and FIFA development Officer is utilized by the TTFF in doing everything- from advice on Coach Selection to planning team programmes and monitoring execution.
This is the point at which Zoran Vranes enters the picture, the Yugoslavian-cum-Caribbean man receiving a national team built with Look Loy’s expertise on Corneal’s foundation work and, of course, paid for by Jack Warner’s funding. The team is entered in the Super League as a Club team for the entire season, plays over 10 international matches including a four-match trip to Brazil. The U20s win the League and KO titles of the Super league and do very well in friendly matches against the likes of Honduras, El Salvador and company. Marry this planning, cooperation, and exposure to a bunch of talented players who have already tasted World Cup participation and a coach hungry for success and you get what an Under 20 team that has now qualified for the 2009 FIFA Under 20 Championships.
So Egypt, see you in September.
Many would argue that this team has played only 3 matches to qualify for a World Cup; but to fail to see it in the context of the planning and co-operation that went into this project, diminishes the achievement.
Yet, this is the advantage of hosting a CONCACAF Qualifying event for a FIFA tournament and having an influential FIFA Vice President in our midst. Has Brazil ever been apologetic for having a FIFA President in Joao Havelange? And why should we not use this to our advantage especially when football can play such an important role in youth development and nation building? Warner’s position and influence in world football can be looked at as a glass, half full or half empty, depending on the attitude of the viewer.
The presence of Sports Minister Gary Hunt at the TTFF’s appreciation function for the team last week could help ensure that this development process endures and assists T&T in becoming a regular face at FIFA World Tournaments. In his statement, Minister Hunt praised the TTFF for achieving much but stopped short of acknowledging the critical role of Warner’s funding.
Nevertheless, the indications from the ministry remain positive. Minister Hunt seemed sincere enough. So, the ball now passes to him to ensure that the Government does not kick it outside or over the bar. Hopefully, he understands the connection between the capacity crowd that urged Latapy and Co. to a 1-1 draw with Honduras last week and the youngsters that came together in 2004 and qualified last month for the Under 20 Tournament.
Yes, Leston Paul will soon take the place of Latapy and the guards will change again. But because of proper planning, purposeful implementation and adequate funding, in 2014 the pool of new senior team players could well arrive on the field with several youth World Cups and possibly an Olympic appearance under their belts. T&T football. I’m so proud of you.