Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee thinks local football is in better shape than ever after a delightful two-game tour of Europe, earlier this month.
“The reports will show that we lost both matches to Romania and Estonia,” Tim Kee told the TTFA Media. “But the tour was significant in more ways than one. It presented us with the opportunity to establish new ties with other member associations that have rich footballing histories, that have some of the best facilities…
“We held meetings with their Presidents and other officials with the aim of having a better understanding of their organisation structure and other areas such as player and coach development and administrative roles and functions among other things.”
The players and technical staff members, according to Tim Kee, enjoyed their time as well. They might have been especially pleased to see the TTFA president glad-handling their replacement, Leo Beenhakker, while the “Soca Warriors” were getting the stuffing kicked out of them in a 4-0 loss to Romania.
“On this trip alone our management staff was privy to work in conditions and with personnel that could only be of added benefit to them,” he said.
Sport Minister Anil Roberts got his back rubbed too.
“At this point, I don’t think enough can be said about the invaluable support we’ve received from the Government and the Ministry of Sport over the past several months for our national teams,” said Tim Kee, “which has allowed us to continue our participation and maintain a presence on the international stage.”
What Tim Kee did not say: “Although the trip obviously went very well for everyone, I sacked and/or demoted my head coaches for losing to two teams with ‘rich footballing histories.’ The players and management staff spent half a day sleeping on chairs at an airport in Helsinki while I travelled first class. The Ministry of Sport owes my coaches between $90,000 to $230,000 each as the poor suckers have barely been paid all year. And I will put my new understanding of coach development in place by hiring a 70-year-old European two and a half weeks before July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.”
Mr Live Wire thinks that first class passengers definitely have a much better view of unfolding events than the harassed, anxious plebs at the back of the plane.
Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.