Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Club Sando and Naparima College head coach Angus Eve has vowed to take over two dozen young footballers to see Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Shamfa Cudjoe, in a last ditch effort to save their dream of participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifying series.
Yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Camara David confirmed that the local body has decided to withdraw the Men’s National Under-23 Team, so as to ‘focus its resources on other competitions for the rest of 2019’.
Mitchell was part of the pool to represent T&T in the 2020 Olympic qualifying series.
(Copyright Carlos Borbon/Straffon Images)
David said the TTFA had to be careful while spending its ‘limited funding’ and suggested that the Men’s Olympic series was not a priority, partly because the team had little chance of qualifying anyway.
“The Concacaf Men’s U-23 Olympic Qualifiers has proven to be the most difficult competition to qualify for, as only a maximum of two countries from the region will qualify for 2020 Tokyo,” stated David, via a press release. “Additionally, given the lack of resources and preparation of the team, the TTFA felt that it would be unfair to the republic to send an unprepared team to a participate in the tournament.”
[dfp-ad]
Eve suggested the TTFA decision and the reasoning behind it was further evidence that the David John-Williams-led administration was not up to the job. Not only is the TTFA failing to develop its players, he said, but they are now asking them not to dream big.
“My feeling after reading that [release] is one of utter dismay, simply because of the message we are sending to young people,” Eve told Wired868. “Because something has not been achieved thus far we should give up on it? So Iceland should not have tried to qualify for the World Cup because they never went before? We should not have tried in 2006 because we had never done it?
“Maybe Trinidad and Tobago should not go to the [2019 Concacaf] Gold Cup because we have never won it before. The message that they seem to be sending to our young people is to give up on your dreams.”
(Copyright Concacaf)
Eve said he has been inundated with calls from young players and he intends to seek a private meeting with Cudjoe on their behalf.
Roughly three decades ago, Eve was a member of the National Under-20 Team that created history by qualifying for the Portugal 1991 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which was Trinidad and Tobago’s first ever appearance at a FIFA competition. And, at senior level, he remains the country’s all-time most capped player.
Eve insisted that the young players today deserve the same opportunities he had and listed Levi Garcia, Judah Garcia, Jabari Mitchell, Kathon St Hillaire, Kierron Mason, Isaiah Hudson, Jarred Dass, Martieon Watson, Noah Powder, Keston Julien, Kareem Riley and Justin Sadoo as members of his National Under-23 pool who were likely to have been involved.
In Eve’s last spell as Under-23 coach, he led a team that included the likes of Kevin Molino, Kevan George, Sheldon Bateau, Mekeil Williams and Daneil Cyrus. He believes the current crop possesses even more talent.
“These boys have earned this chance by reaching a certain level of excellence in their football,” said Eve. “Even if they don’t qualify for the 2020 Olympics, they would have the chance to play in front of scouts and possibly secure a professional contract or scholarship that can change their lives.
Sadoo and Riley are both in the pool for selection on the National U-23 Team for the 2020 Olympic qualifying series.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“Thanks to football, I’ve seen the world. I’ve travelled to countries like Morocco, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, England, Italy, etc. That’s where my football talent took me and I want these kids to have the same opportunities.
“This is a very talented crop and it is a travesty not to give them a chance.”
Eve noted too that he had just two weeks notice before the Pan American Games in 2012 and came out of the tournament unbeaten after successive draws with Uruguay, Panama and Ecuador.
“Nearly half of that Mexico team is playing in Europe now like [Raul Jimenez at Wolves],” said Eve. “We didn’t win the tournament but guys like [Kevin] Molino and Marcus Joseph and so on got trials after the competition and most of our players from that team eventually played abroad and went on to play for the senior team.”
Eve said he was happy to step aside as team coach if John-Williams was being spiteful towards the team due to his criticism of the current administration.
“It is only one team they have blacklisted and only one coach [John-Williams] has spoken about,” said Eve. “Keith Look Loy, Anthony Wolfe, Kelvin Jack; they have all spoken out against this administration. But it is only after my interview with Wired868 that the president saw it fit to make a public statement. And it seems to be only one team that is being singled out.”
(Copyright Alan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
TTFA Board member Keith Look Loy confirmed that the decision to jettison the Men’s National Under-23 Team was not taken by the Board. It is uncertain whether John-Williams made the call himself, in tandem with David or through his newly constituted emergency committee, which comprises of: John-Williams (president), Ewing Davis (vice-president), Selby Browne (VFFOTT), Richard Quan Chan (SFA), Anthony Moore (TFA) and Bandele Kamau (EFA).
The TTFA constitution allows for an emergency committee to handle urgent situations that pop up between Board meetings. However, John-Williams has been accused of using it as a ‘hand-picked cabal’ to circumvent the authority of the Board.
Four of the TTFA’s six emergency committee members will have all expenses paid trips to Japan and England this week—presumably paid for by the host body. The Board, according to Look Loy, was not consulted with regards to which administrators would travel either.
Davis and Quan Chan are in Japan with the Men’s National Senior Team while John-Williams, Browne and David are due to travel to France for the Women’s World Cup—along with WoLF president Sharon Warrick who the president was obliged to carry due to her role.
Look Loy said it was unconscionable that John-Williams would use the women’s tournament as a free trip when he has done so little for the Women Soca Warriors.
Last year, Women’s National Senior Team manager Jinelle James called John-Williams a misogynist for his alleged disregard to the team while goalkeeper Saundra Baron said she felt the president couldn’t wait for them to be eliminated so he could be done with them.
“The irony of these men representing the TTFA at the Women’s World Cup when the TTFA sat on its hands and actively destroyed our team in qualifying is savage,” said Look Loy. “The TTFA does not take women’s football seriously; and one is led to believe that the presence of the women’s teams in the order of tournament priority just released by TTFA’s inner circle is just window dressing to secure FIFA funding and to save face at the conference.
“This is shameful. And the participation of Selby Browne—a formerly relentless critic of the DJW regime—in all of this is shameless.
“[…] These trips are merely pay back for services rendered.”
Dwight Yorke, Trinidad and Tobago’s most celebrated footballer of all time, is the new head coach of the Trinidad and Read more
French Guiana are not the only obstacles to success for the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team tonight, as Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker coach Derek King declared confidence in his first selection as the Soca Read more
On Tuesday, Rob Stevens, writing for BBC Sport Africa, presented a comprehensive look at the overall performances at the Paris Read more
Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve had another 17 months left on his contract Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has appointed Derek King as “caretaker coach” of the Men’s National Senior Team. Read more
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.
Sorry at the end big thumbs should read I know
Suprised! But have to agree he killed hundreds of dreams. But when will it end? Time it stops, i know if he is given the team he wants they will do well the playing feild is the same size for all teams we have quality under 23 players. However our national coach refuses to cap hemthe team in Japan should be littered with touth, may e he wanrs to win the gold cup? We should be preparing for world cup qualifiers yes? Giving young players caps and experience but maybe what do o knoe
Were some veteran players tested positive for marijuana. Is that being covered up to protect their careers? Should we start discussion on use of marijuana debarring athletes from competing.
What about Isiah lee jean paul Rochford keshawn Hackshaw just to name a few what a way to justify to sport minister reason for not having team prepared. All this man wants is head li es for himself we need new minds to lead local forward we must send a team to the qualifers i pledge five hundred to the cause and challenge you all football lovers to match or better lets raise the money
You did not do you job by preparing team. Then, you trying to bullshit the public by stating that it is unfair to the republic to send an unprepared team for which you were responsible for preparing Hummmmmm. My heart hurts for my/our young footballers.
Lasana Liburd didn’t even have to say DJW was on that trip. It goes without saying those guys feel entitled to see the world through football.
They don’t even care about the optics. How on hand they complain about resource constraints and on the hand non-essential personnel are traveling to Japan.
If things like this keeps happening the the young players what’s the youths who’s up an coming have to look forward too
Marvin Raeburn it seems that football and footballers come last sometimes.
Lasana Liburd We need ah total revamp if football or sports on the hold is a way out for the youths an these things happening what or way will they turn too
God speed Coach Angus
Tim Kee was underrated.
Dayne Brizan I think we are suffering from very low expectations and it keeps getting lower
Is Jet yuh say yuh know pal!!!
Sporting organisations like TTGFA must get their act in order and stop playing on emotions to get funding for national teams, especially at the last minute. And the Ministry of Sport, SporTT, etc. must lay the ground rules, especially for financial transparency and governance.
Under this administration…have we ever sent a team for a tournament fully prepared?? What dotishness am I hearing …i cant believe a man would be so dunce to use a statement like that to back up his decision
Well dam! Trinidad and Tobago really got it bad
All I want to say is we’re are having to many excuses about lack of financing and etc .to Prepare our teams to compete at The levels we need to be at. Sorry to say we miss JAKE
“Additionally, given the lack of resources and preparation of the team, the TTFA felt that it would be unfair to the republic to send an unprepared team to a participate in the tournament.”
Isn’t this the norm? What has changed. We sending an underprepared team to the GC
The inner circle destroying young men/women and football with every press release they make⚽⚽⚽
What about kwesi allan.. Anthony Herbert. Both are doing well with our cedar stars USL 2 team!
Conrad I hadn’t heard of them in a while. They were good prospects for sure.
Lasana Liburd And some people will still defend this man.
jezan.
Keith Look Loy this is absolute rubbish
Conrad Smith Bro. I have been fighting this for the last four years. But in his last days the joker exposing himself more than ever. The voters will decide in November if this is what they want.
Lasana Liburd what manner of man is this? ??
Keith Look Loy he said that the team would be under prepared so u trying to say that only yesterday u know we have Olympic qualifiers. To be honest I was tired playing against other countries under prepared but his job is to make sure we have enough time to be prepared know !?
Conrad Smith Agreed. He is a very poor manager. TTFA has no plan for anything. And most of all, contrary to what most most people believe, he doesn’t care about football.
Keith Look Loy or I know he only cards about the money he’s a business man before anything else
she didnt just throw him under the bus eh?
Is not that weh ah jus see? Rite?
Lasana Liburd this video should see the entire TTFA resigning by morning and people protesting in front of the office all day until it happens
No more articles needed to prove what we already know ?♂️
Keith Look Loy its really unbelievable sigh
Lasana Liburd thanks for the transparency
Is the four years part that killing me yes ??
Trey Hart yes. The core of this U-23 team were more or less active recently…think they were more active than the U-17, so why would they need 4 yrs. Also the U-20 qualifiers was in December.
Even with a larger field we are likely to not qualify for Qatar 2022 based on the ridiculous slections Dennis going on with. The U-23 pool is our best chance for 2026, the Olympic qualifiers is a superb opportunity for the long term development but what would this administration know about football much less development
Maybe no W Connection players in that group??
Antonio Feliziano hahaha.. there are a few
Brian just checking ?
Antonio Feliziano ha
madness…even worse…EVIL.
This is so sickening. Are these trips opportunities for these so-called “administrators” to frolick on the same short funds that could be diverted to developing the local game? These talented pool of players are going to lose out on opportunities and avenues to pursue their dreams because of these jokey decisions…smh
Nigel Myers, this is not a bad looking pool eh?
Yeh, we have quite a pool available in that age group. Doh forget Jerren Nixon Jr.
And Morgan Bruce, etc… And I think Nickell Orr and Jaydon Prowell and them would be considered too.
As well as John-Paul Rochford
Kishon Hackshaw, Shane Sandy, Nicholas DIllon, Micah Lansiquot…
What about Mark Ramdeen?
Yohannes Richardson as well
That’s how players give up on the dream they once had smh
Sad man.
Lasana Liburd yes it is