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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams has distanced himself from criticism of Sport Minister Darryl Smith, after a press release from his employers, Central FC, quoted him as expressing disappointment in Smith.
On 5 February 2017, Central became the first club in the 17 year history of the Pro League to win the league title for three successive seasons.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
However, a Central release, which quoted Williams, suggested that the Sport Minister has ignored their success—even as claimed to receive congratulations from the FIFA and CONCACAF presidents.
“When we won our second successive Caribbean Club Championship last year, we received no recognition from Minister Smith,” said Williams, according to the Central release. “It was the highest profile sporting achievement by any team from T&T in 2016, yet we didn’t even receive a letter of congratulations…
“It’s very disappointing as a player in our national sport to see the lack of respect for our achievements.”
Williams quotes brought a stinging rebuke from former Trinidad and Tobago football icon and current National Under-17 Team coach Russell Latapy. However, within hours of the Central release, the goalkeeper put out his own statement—curiously, via the TTFA Media—which claimed that his words were “incorrectly interpreted” and that he had been used to make a point against the Sport Minister.
The talented 32-year-old goalkeeper did not say he was misquoted. However, he made it clear that he only hopes to see his name in a sporting context in the future.
Central managing director Brent Sancho served as Minister of Sport under the UNC government and directly preceded Smith in that post while the club’s operations manager, Kevin Harrison, served as advisor to the Sport Minister during his brief tenure.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“Let me first say that I am not one to play politics with the game that I love nor do I have interest in either attacking the Ministry of Sport or the Sport Minister,” said Williams, via the TTFA Media. “My name has been used a lot in the past by others to get their various points across. Contrary to what was previously reported, my main focus after the game [which secured the 2016/17 Pro League title] was to get mentally prepared for the [Digicel Pro Bowl final on Sunday 19 February], which would be tough regardless of the opposition.
“My statements obviously were incorrectly interpreted. Moving forward my main focus is winning the Pro Bowl then preparing for World Cup qualifiers in March.
“I also hope to do my best so that my name is seen in the media in the future for sporting achievements only.”
Williams was thrust into the national spotlight, three months ago, when National Senior Team medic Dr Terence Babwah and paramedic Dave Isaac quit the team after claiming that then head coach Stephen Hart played the Central goalkeeper against medical advice in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras on 15 November 2016.
Williams was concussed in that outing, which the Soca Warriors lost 3-1 and the resignation heaped pressure on Hart who was fired soon after. But Williams, Hart and much of the technical staff insisted that the goalkeeper was not injured and rubbished the claims by Babwah and Isaac.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
The Central custodian found himself in a tug of war again when Hart’s successor, Tom Saintfiet, refused to select him after a spat with the club’s managing director, Brent Sancho, over their training schedule.
In yesterday’s release, Sancho attacked Smith’s perceived snub of the “Couva Sharks” and said that the Sport Minister: “chooses to ignore us again and instead prefers to give out prizes at coaching schools.”
He also accused Smith of showing more interest in the fledgling Trinidad and Tobago Super League—which is not yet ratified by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA)—than the Pro League.
“Of course, being a former Minister of Sport for the opposition, people would expect me to criticise Daryl Smith,” said Sancho. “I try to steer clear of political statements but I cannot stay quiet any longer. As a former footballer, I am amazed that the Minister has never acknowledged the TT Pro League clubs.
“He has refused to meet individual clubs and has taken no interest in the professional league, yet he’s held meetings with the new Super League owners, which has not yet been formally ratified by TTFA.”
(Courtesy TTSL)
Sancho claimed too that Smith’s attitude to the Pro League was detrimental to the local game and that the Ministry of Sport, which gives at least TT$400,000 per month in subventions to the local top flight competition, has not done enough to make the clubs self-sufficient.
“It’s crazy because on one hand the Minister is cutting funding to the Pro League and saying clubs need to be more self sufficient,” said Sancho. “But he does nothing to help them achieve this. He should be regularly speaking of the accomplishments of the Pro League, which would greatly assist clubs in become self funded.
“Okay, you make cost cutting decisions, but why start at the top? Our professional football is admired overseas. It provides employment for hundreds of people, many of whom would possibly find it difficult to secure meaningful employment elsewhere.
“Imagine what we could achieve with proper support from the Ministry of Sport and Corporate T&T…”
Still Central claimed to be close to closing a deal with a foreign investor that should help secure the club’s future.
“The interest in Central is dependent on several other deals going through in Europe,” said Sancho. “All we can do is carry on winning titles to ensure that the interest remains while they complete their affairs. However, I would estimate that there’s a 90 percent chance of new investors coming on board before we compete in the CFU finals in May.”
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Central claimed too that 19 year old forward Nicholas Dillon, who is also a Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 standout, has signed with Belgium Second Division club, K.Patro Maasmechelen, and will soon be joined by his club teammate, Nathaniel Garcia.
Versatile Central attacker Jem Gordon, who played fullback for much of the 2016/17 season, is also due to attend trials soon in the United States.
The Sharks also congratulated assistant coach Stern John after he was appointed as National Senior Team assistant coach by Warriors head coach Dennis Lawrence.
“[John’s] appointment reflects the hard work he has put into the club over the last season and a half,” stated the club release, “and his influence on the team is apparent from the club’s continued success.”
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
I will shout it out like you why all you trying to bring gang thing in the football
And yes that concept is a gangster concept. Battle for turf
..What proposal? Look, if we moving from serious, if aggressive, debate to ole talk I gone again yes..
When the league was 100k to enter Caledonia beg borrow and tief to raise we registration …..no govt gi we.
..And TTPL was far better then. THAT is my point. Raise fees. Less value for money..
And you say national league that is one view . But there are those of us who say we want full time professionals and because you not seeing our moves behind the scenes that does not mean we sitting waiting on Govt
Some years ago if you got someone to pay your 400k you would have been in the League. But because they did not accept your proposal you still carrying that grudge. The league must crash because it offends you ?
..Why should i write that? I do not work for Central. I congratulated you. No “negativity” there, right? But woe is me if I criticize the rubbish Sancho is talking. Did he run pass he change when he was Minister of Sport and YOU were by his side as his adviser? NO. Now he coming to talk foolishness? Steups.
That is definitely a glaring irony.
Rubbish ….Pro League has its rules just as Super League would have its rules. The entrance fee has been decided by the club’s I’m the League. Just as how Super League will decide it’s entrance fees. So then Zone teams have the right to discredit the Super League for that
..You really comparing Super League registration fees to TTPL’s 400k? Really? If I had 400k to spend on football I would send it on the same “black hen chicken’ allyuh always talking about – not on fees for certain men to get paid..
Keith Look Loy, you did indeed congratulate Central on their achievement and it was appreciated. But someone with your knowledge and experience should have written articles explaining how a 100% local team, with one of the Pro Leagues lowest budgets, could continue winning at home and overseas. Explain the benefits of good coaching, good training, good team discipline to the citizens. Because you know what it takes and you can appreciate the sacrifices. Stop with the negativity and ask the right questions. What has Daryl Smith achieved for sport so far? Why is he not recognizing the top club in the country’s top sport?
..RUBBISH. What all this gangster talk is about? Nobody is criticizing any TTPL club. Plenty peple criticizing TTPL so-called “business model”. It has FAILED. TTPL has stagnated and couldn’t exist without the oxygen of State funding that keeps some in the money while boys play for starvation wages. Deny that. I have steadfastly maintained over many years that what we need is a NATIONAL LEAGUE that combines all kinds of clubs – professional. semi-professional and amateur, whatever the owners cold afford – based on their technical and competition MERIT. This is the democracy of football that TTPL denies by excluding clubs by using their extortionate registration fee of 400k. So clubs get State funding because they in TTPL, and they in TTPL because they get State funding. TTSL wrote to TTPL seeking dialgue and what was their response? They have to “seek guidance from TTFA, when a TTPL owner running TTFA. Jokes and games..
The shocking thing is that this press release contained the opinions of Central FC management based on fact. Nowhere in the release was there mention of funding or any discrediting of the Super League. Yet the first responder, Keith Keith Look Loy, immediately stated incorrect information and derogatory comments about the Pro League. This was then furthered by the next posters. If you all care about football in T&T, why are you not addressing the issue? T&T, to my knowledge, won zero major international sporting achievements in 2016 apart from Centrals retention of the Caribbean Club Championship – achieved with a 100% Trini team. Where is your pride? Ok, you have hate and jealousy for the management, but what about your home grown heroes who train harder and longer than any Caribbean team to raise the red, white and black above 34 other nations?
Lasana you see everybody calling and texting me to cool down but men want to misrepresent facts ….I done
I going and talk to SAT to see how to deal with this mindset boy
Something wrong with the Africans when it comes to coexisting . There are 3 roti shops with 50 metres in San Juan and they coexisting
The under tone of gang warfare is for my gang to exist…I have to kill out your gang ….or its leadership….then I take your crew and your turf. Why you all bringing that in the football.
If I only sure that the TTFA wants to stop the Super League I will fight the Ttfa. Nobody have to invite me
Keith needs to get a new line of attack to fight his imaginary enemies and it seems it’s him alone seeing these ghosts
Light a candle for the football Shawn because those who don’t feel it have a social value …..wait let it crash…..I fancy Jamaal Hands a gangster ….instead of a coach…..trust meh ….worries and problems …and I speaking for Yo
Very important social value and trust me you make a better coach than gangster
Wow. How we reach there guys?
I not sure nah but he was making a point
Timothy you are a next one sits quiet allow the Pro League to get discredited when you know it put food on men table and not just from Govt funding. Like everyone else when I loose it I will go off and draw analogies from things I seeing
Somebody getting shortchanged Jamaal. You can talk for Cali men I’m sure. No one else.
I know what goes on with FC Santa Rosa and my family and folks who are interested in the progress of T&T Football
And none that I mentioned ever depended on the TTPL to put food on their table.
Can’t defend what I do not have inside knowledge of and I do not deal with speculations.
I have covered both leagues. I see positives in both and my wish remains that they can sort out various issues and become aligned to each other in the immediate future. Because each league has something to gain from the other.
Also both sides are partly correct. The Pro League has stagnated in recent years. I think they heyday of the Pro League was a decade ago with players like Dwarika, Jemmott, Whitley, Jean, Emmanuel, Goulart and so on in the competition…
But also Pro League definitely invested millions over the years that the clubs raised themselves. I doubt more than than two clubs survive based on only the subvention. And even that might be unfair to those two clubs.
One I hope the two leagues would exist and at a high level I don’t care about all the nonsense that going on. Right now football in Trinidad& Tobago is a joke all we do is keep going around in circles but no one has a problem with that hope the program starts soon good luck to you.
Wired rose on a level of discourse men just want to bring it to an avenue of casting aspersions…..fine….but don’t misrepresent the facts and try to make it look like Pro League sitting waiting on Govt money
When I wrong correct me
I fed up with all this nonsense and lies to discredit a league and owners who invest in football and young people. Why it is that super league have to try to bring down pro league….to advance
Dont ask me nothing
The reason I ask about that program so often is I think the youths need it especially the ones who have talent but cannot afford to pay to go somewhere to train. OK is not to put pressure on you.
My apologies star
Nah I don’t dig nothing over talk brother. I think we all have to explain ourselves a little better when making our points.
Most of you don’t put a cent in football and are just mouth murderers
I was not speaking about u I was speaking about what Sancho said. After that I was asking you a question.
I could take it up a notch too
Beat me with the truth and I will submit . You does run a club Shawn?
No club
The fact is that Govt has not funded the Pro League for 17 years . It’s only the last 7 years. The subvention does not cover a club’s budget. Clubs have sponsors and investors. We put our money in this and provides employment. I will not sit in silence and let untrue aggression overcome
Rubbish Shawn what you encouraging. The facts is what I defending stop promoting nonsense.
It is amazing what a little competition is do to people. By the way as you seem to be talking what going with the elite under fourteen program have not heard anything for a while. Hope to get and answer.
Shimps
Shrimps
So later in truth
Captain I does only come in to correct misrepresentation of this govt funding issue. I not here to censor how you see it or oppose you. You know my position clear
..Look later yes.
No star speak the truth about that issue of govt funding. Let facts dictate this govt issue. Sancho talking for himself not the Pro League. I wonder if you talking for Super League
..I was minding my business pal. Talk to Sancho. And stop trolling. Focus on getting TTPL on the right track..
It’s not necessary to try to discredit the Pro League to adVance the cause of the Super League. The concept of the Super has our full support
..Yeah. And I want to buy the Caroni bridge..
..TTPL interests running TTFA. That’s why they stalling Super League recognition..
It’s amazing how in football we find it necessary to pull down one entity to build up another. When the industry has room for both leagues. In some communities there is room for a pro team a super league team a zone team and a college team
An opinion shouted loudly and repeatedly does not make it the truth no manner how much venom is spewed
Every opportunity you get to discredit the league is a joy for you Keith. That’s cool but at least state the truth. And don’t continue to paint a picture that is only govt funding runs club’s.
..OK. I stand corrected. Seven years of stagnation..
Get your facts right govt funding to the league has been 7 years. You amaze me how liberal you are with misquoting this fact every time
..Sancho good yes. In addition to the clubs getting 50k a month the TTPL itself gets 3m a year I am told. League big shots drawing tens of thousands a month while little boys who produce the football getting 2k and 3k. Let them see to that..
So what exactly did Jan say if his words were incorrectly interpreted?
..I WISH my club was getting 50k a month from the State. I wouldn’t turn around and cuss the Minister. And I assure you I and FC Santa Rosa, while we understand the role of the State in promoting Sport, have have NO interest in becoming a ward of the State. And I will resist the philosophy of debt and dependency in the TTSL
http://ttfootball.org/2017/02/18/jan-michael-i-meant-no-disrespect/
400,000 monthly is ignoring, somebody that bi-annually please
lol!!!! dont say that keith, people go blast you for saying the ttpro league is a beggar man league!!! no vision beside seeing the dollar signs in there pockets!!! i do hope your league wont be a beggar man league also..i do hope and pray!!!
You called it
Football in T&T Will Never go forward unless it’s Renigise in d Communities
..This is the voice of entitlement pampered by seventeen years of unrecompensed State largesse. “Wah yuh hah fuh meh”? “Gimme sumting nah”. I congratulated Central on their accomplishment of a very difficult feat. Not so Kevin Harrison? But the fact is that many TTPL owners fear the pending approval of TTSL’s application for TTFA membership. They should be thinking more about how to grow their stagnated league rather than attacking the Minister they hope to wring more free money from, or the TTSL, which is merely trying to get about its business..
So How Football Go Improve With This .mentality
Good point.
But Lasana Liburd this Needs to Stop I know u have football to Heart y u did not take d President JOB