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Trinidad and Tobago Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene admitted that the local top flight competition is facing the toughest fight of its 14 year existence, as uncertainty over government funding and the poor economic climate are among several factors overshadowing the 2016/17 season.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Defending champions Central FC, who won successive Pro League and Caribbean Cup titles over the past two seasons, are looking increasingly vulnerable after losing two title sponsors—SIS and Bankers Insurance—in the past year.
Skeene admitted that Central were in financial dire straits and had even broached the idea of participating in the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League while taking a hiatus from the Pro League.
The Champions League raised its allowance to participating clubs from US$40,000 (TT$265,500) to US$75,000 (TT$498,000) per away game, which means the “Couva Sharks” would collect US$150,000 (TT$996,000) for their trips to Honduras and Mexico in the tournament’s group stage.
It is unlikely that CONCACAF would allow Central to participate in its showcase club tournament under those circumstances, even if the Pro League board did.
But Skeene insisted that Central, like the Pro League’s nine other clubs, were expected back next season.
Harrison served as Sport Minister Brent Sancho’s advisor, last year, and is a former voluntary worker with the UK’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“We had a board meeting [last week] and all the clubs were discussing the new season,” Skeene told Wired868. “The general consensus is that things are tight. With the subvention cut, the clubs are talking about rearranging for new season.
“Central said there are challenges but they didn’t say they are out. Everybody is talking to sponsors and reviewing their processes.”
Central might have as many internal issues as they do external ones.
Skeene confirmed that the Sharks, who are led by former Sport Minister Brent Sancho and Kevin Harrison, received TT$600,000 in prize money in April for their successful 2014/15 title run. The Pro League is due to make an additional TT$260,000 payment to Central soon.
However, Wired868’s checks revealed that they are yet to pay bonuses to players and staff.
The Pro League CEO said the club’s former captain, Marvin Oliver, will be paid since he lodged a complaint directly with the governing body. The remaining Central players and staff members are believed to be negotiating directly with the club.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Sancho and Harrison also face a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) investigation for four matters related to alleged corruption and/or financial mismanagement at the Sharks.
However, current TTFA president David John-Williams, who is also the owner of Pro League club, W Connection, has not addressed the Central matter since his election on 29 November 2015.
Ironically, John-Williams has faced complaints about his own behaviour as a club owner. He was involved in a two month stand off between Connection and its young forward Dwight Quintero before the club belatedly agreed to pay for its employee’s emergency operation in April.
Central are not the only Pro League entity who are struggling financially though, after the Ministry of Sport cut its subvention to clubs from TT$80,000 per month to TT$50,000.
The Pro League clubs are uncertain about even the reduced subvention for next term and there were suggestions that the board might delay the start of the 2016/17 Pro League season until after the October budget to be sure of government aid. The season is otherwise expected to commence in early September.
(Courtesy Francisco Estrada/Jam MEDIA)
However, Morvant Caledonia United co-founder Jamaal Shabazz believes rumours that the government might scrap its subvention altogether are probably a case of scaremongering.
“A member of Central FC first alerted [the board] to that concern about the subvention,” said Shabazz. “I, for one, am not unduly worried. No such communication has come from the Ministry or Sports Company.”
Skeene and Shabazz both raised several ideas for revitalising the Pro League and boosting the financial health of its stakeholders. Not for the first time, community grounds were a key talking point.
Skeene hinted that the short-term future of Japs North East Stars, who were Pro League champions in 2004, might rely on their ability to source a ground.
The Sangre Grande-based club were forced to play their home games as far away as Couva last season since the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar does not have functioning lights, and cannot facilitate kick offs later than 4 pm.
Central won 4-0 to retain the Pro League title.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Ironically, Jabloteh’s decision to move their home games to the Barataria Recreation Ground last season, which was greeted by an immediate spike in supporters, was scuttled after a few games as at least one team refused to play there.
“There was a concern about the security [at the Barataria Recreation Ground] by one of the clubs,” said Skeene, “so I will look at it on a case by case basis. But I will push [for community grounds] as much as possible.
“Some clubs are willing to do it and others don’t and prefer to play in the stadiums.”
Morvant Caledonia definitely fall into the latter category and Shabazz insisted that local teams would not need financial aid if the government keeps its promise to deliver community grounds.
Skeene said the Pro League will survive.
“[The financial climate] has now forced all of us to relook at the model and work towards playing in the communities, even if it means playing in less than ideal conditions” said the Pro League CEO. “I am looking at community development programmes and we also want to work more with [influential] people inside communities.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
“In challenging times, it pushes you to focus and [to] do what is needed to operate in the way you have to to be sustainable in the long term; and not just focus on playing games and relying on the subvention.”
The local professional game started in 1999 as the Professional Football League (PFL) but was left for dead, three years later, when then FIFA vice-president and TTFF special advisor Jack Warner withdrew financial support for the competition.
Within three months of the PFL’s collapse in 2002, eight clubs started the Pro League which now has 14 years under its belt.
“For two years, we played without prize money just to ensure that the concept of professional football continued,” said Shabazz. “And the teams like Jabloteh, W Connection, Caledonia and Defence Force are the survivors of [the group that made] that decision.
“I think the Pro League’s survival is a tremendous achievement and those who want to see a return to amateur football, in my view, are taking the easy way out.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart said in a previous interview that it would be disastrous for the Soca Warriors if the Pro League folds. Shabazz and Skeene agreed.
“The Pro League provides coaches, administrators and players with the opportunity to focus full time and affords them more time to develop their skills,” said Shabazz. “It is going to be very difficult for coach Stephen Hart to depend on players who are doing a regular job and have to get time off from their employers. We cannot go back to that way when all we need is a little more ambition, more critical thinking and execution of a pathway forward.
“Caledonia is by no means among the haves; but we refuse to just roll over and play dead.”
Skeene suggested that the Pro League may hold a symposium to hear ideas on the way forward from interested parties outside of the football family.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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Good one Terry i have seen the best on those politicians pass through north east .i am not pulling down no coach however clubs fall victim of it is like the blind leading the blind ; we went 3 years straight with one of the largest budget an high price players with two knockout cup an only 5th place al 3 years all the suscess came via the youth teams and all that time i was preaching bring the team home , while sports max special one had his own agenda he did not want his short fall reach the office .all the intrested parties intrested in is how to ensure money comes to ensure they have a job an try to distroy the reputation of the other individuals so there personal agendas can be fulfilled .
Thanks Roland, time people stand up and call it as it is
Terry you will remember the days you came to grandie an do battle an north east was poor in those days .
Roland Clarke yes but I always saw the potential, excellent community support and room for development
Never an easy place to get a result
Thanks Terry there is alot of development to take place however i use it to show we once had it an blew it to individuals with out vision . Only concern is there job to stand at the touch line .
The Board is awaiting a requested meeting with the Sports Minister and others. I cannot talk for nor do I support keeping any entity out of the league once they find a way to meet the requirements. Nobody gets more blows than me in the Board room for inclusion of applicants but I will not break ranks on the issue of grounds.
It’s just dawned on me that with all my experience and contacts worldwide and locally I have had ONE (1) coaches meeting in Trinidad in seventeen (17) years. SMH
But my Prof Jamaal Shabazz how many times over and over eh, yuh have been telling the powers that be what is the right things to be done man eh, and they are still not getting it eh, the problem I see with all this madness that have been taking place in our sweet country eh, with respect to our football eh, is that like the fella (owner) in Grande and the ex corrupted sports minister and well you know the others and of course not my police and soldiers eh, is that these owners only wants to call all the shots for their teams and don’t have a board of directors which even they themselves can be fired, eh look at what is happening now even the ex corrupted sports minister is coaching now eh, so how will the football really move to another level eh, no wonder when some of the sponsors like SIS, and Bankers Trust come on board and really is exposed to the TRUTH about what is really taking place eh, they pull out eh. Them really good yes.
I have no doubt there are those who have vision, drive and commitment to improve football in T&T, maybe just not the current Incumbent.
The question might be raised Jamaal, what do the PFL board discuss in their meetings, progress, improvement, planning, vision? Or is it how we keep others out and away from their benefits?
I has a propsal to hand in before this monthend once the boss makes his decision i will set the trend how it can be achieved .
Roland we must recognize your efforts and contributions especially to North East Stars. And your efforts will not be lost since in coaching we are one day in one day out of a job. My mindset is on getting the powers that be to see the importance of a North East Stars playing in Grande. And instead of Jabloteh playing in Barataria with no gates …..they have access to a proper facility like Terry Fenwick says ….one whose surface can cater for multiple users. Artificial grass fields can be a solution with smaller areas around the ground earmarked for recreational sweaters and developed as well
The fact that we are even discussing the absence of proper facilities for ANY sport along the East West Corridor is instructive.
The corrupted Jack Warner started the so call professional league for only one reason and that was for him and his cronies to have youth World Cup tournaments in our sweet country and after making plenty monies eh, he decided it was time to even drop out of the league because plenty monies was spending to keep his team Joe Public running and he had other agendas to deal with, my uncle Jack not stupid eh, why continue spending monies on a so call professional league eh, paying out plenty monies to players and nothing is coming back in the kitty eh, and now that he stole the Center of Excellence and has his own Marvin League stadium eh, he is making plenty monies by renting it out for weddings, parties, and all other kind of functions eh and always going to the bank smiling and eventually as my Prof. Jamaal Shabazz said if the teams are not allowed to own their own fields in the communities eh, like meh uncle Jack Warner eh,where they can do their own fund raisers, etc, etc, to also make plenty monies eh, eventually the league will crash and we will have to return to the Super league which is played in the communities. Them really good yes.
Jamaal what i am saying we need such vision an forsite jus as they did simple.
My commitment is not negative is is positive criticism in order to survive i am like a lamb slattered for the cause i has been the ears the eyes of north east stars our failure is high price coaches and high price players we was the first community pro team with the recreation ground in grandie winning the league with a small budget an more youthful team in 2004 also for years we never had our own youth program we emplemented it it around 2010 an under my fould as youth director we got two youth title in the history of the club under my charge 2015/16 we started the seasson on a small budget a more youthful team and was top of the standing .the coaches who operated before me never had such vision is just coach an survive with high price players play in larry gomes taking the team away from its community while the well runing dry
Just to note… cricket clubs do have issues with their grounds, they do not have full control but largely understood as ‘tenants’. The Club structure is not a one man show but some type of Board AND finally they are strongly supported by the TTCB. Hence my appeal again that TTFA & TTPro League need a national consensus/plan.
Great point Nicholas, TTFA & PFL have to be lead by the hand, no initiative or planning or partnering to get where they want to be. Super League leading the way in this respect.
Good point Jamaal, moreover football is the dominant sport in communities and pulls the bigger attendance/participation more than cricket throughout the year.
Synthetic installations have bridged that gap and are suitable to both football and cricket.
Porto Rico for instance play soccer and baseball on the same artificial pitches
You feel is by guess cricket has grounds and football don’t?
But Roland I get a sense that men trying to escape this grounds issue. And a big part of the problem is that clubs do not control fields in their areas. If you control grounds within the community youth structure etc are easier since your first port of recruitment are the youths in your area
Again is the amdation and vision of some club owners why is when the well start to run dry we no start missing the water all the time water flowing we did not think or look down the road in that direction lets use cricket almost every cricket team has a ground to call there home . Upon this i give the benefit of the douth .
Jamaal if you look at my first comment you will see i mention is only the service teams ‘ i also said a few teams has good structure i mention you and your club among the clubs that is surving with out high price players am i right about two years now you started your own youth structure after years of trend setter harkaws Dadda blast youth teams are now under your fold . North East for yearsadopted hughead teams over three years now we emplemented our own youth structure and we were successful however at the senior level we faltered not giving the youth structure more exposure going on spending spree for high price players . As i mentioned community grounds is only the first major hurdle.
Part of our VISION is acquiring facilities but the Politicians nor the Regional Corporations in the PNM controlled communities are not sharing that VISION.
You want passion ok look passion Terry Fenwick an English come Trini led a charge to develop a facility that is sitting doing nothing. You want dedication Jabloteh is probably 40 years Caledonia is 37 years plus. Off course we always in need of introspection and improvement but why cant we get the access and control that Clarke Road United, Preysal, Barrackpoore and others enjoy.
Ok the Queen give Queens Park their so Her Majesty did not care about her other subjects?
Roland Clarke it is only the service teams dont have a youth program. All those nice lovely words philosophy structure sounds really scholarly but until we get access to a facility and we fail then that is just good advice. So we do have youth teams some were slow in getting it off the ground. But its amazing when it comes to having access to land how easy brothers wants to shift our focus.
Man I need to find Kunta Kinte yes
I keep mentioning vision ‘ philosophy ‘ structure do a good check on all the pro league team ask for a development structure a structure a system of development they do not have they function on a coach an his staff .most clubs do not have youth program they use the services of out side youth teams .the survival depends on much more than jus a community grpund it depends on good structure vision people with dedication an passion for the sport it must be a holistic approach .
Smh
A lot of talk about the pro league and community fields but think about this….
The Min of Ed has no policy concerning the role of sports in the school cirriculum
Schools are being built with no playing fields , the central area has suffered for this
Many of the Regional corporations which are UNC controlled because of the cultural bias of party and lobby groups prepare grounds for cricket and in fact some grounds have been set up exclusively for cricket clubs even though tax payers money is used (millions) e.g. Avidesh Samaroo park, Tableland ground.
Except for these special grounds all other community fields are not maintained in the true sense of the word….the grass is cut when the machine is available or when they can,there is no scientific approach.
I did speak to the new Min of sport about doing an audit of all public playing fields. In terms of usage,age groups, soil type, drainage,facilities he told me this was underway, that was in January .
Meanwhile there are a number of schools who are unable to participate in athletics,football,cricket as they have no field .
Smh.
Jamaal Shabazz it have one reason i does keep fit now!! That’s for the revolution!! I fed up of the talk the crabs in a barrel, the reason y in this modern world Eric William children still fighting for the crumbs!! The proleague can’t done!! Done talk and we supporting CPL!! A word to the wise is enough!!!!!
The football has been better to us than any political party. It gave some of us scholarships to become doctors, lawyers, accountants. It gave some professional contracts , others get jobs in companies. It gave many a healthy lifestyle, enjoyment and it can bring a nation and communities together. And the politicians will deny us a facility to further develop the thing. This is oppression and there is only one solution for the oppressed …
It comes back down to the fact that Eric Williams children have to suck salt. Eat rum and roti wining with we PNM jersey every 5 years and when you look within the communities that supported the party since the inception of electoral politics ….nothing to show…..
So in the Pnm controlled Regional Corporations we cant but in the other Corporations Clarke Road Utd, Barrackpoore, Preysal could . But we not writing about them whose facilities up to standard for cricket and controlled by a group. Well not this son of an ex slave.
These ancient archaic laws that prevent progress. How can one not see the value in sporting facility within a community like Morvant and Laventille. We prefer to be bogged down in egoistic arguments of who would control it rather than find a pathway of how it can work.
We are becoming a people of cant do this and cant do that…..
Agreed 1000%. Sometimes I believe politics & business need poor down trodden areas as tools & scapegoats. Billions spent on Lifesport, Tarouba, Blimp, Eye in the Sky and the most populous low income area ain’t have 2/3 proper play grounds.
What about cricket? Many of these community fields are used for both cricket and football. Playing cricket on synthetic turf should be interesting. Although there is a place for some Astro turf fields I would hate to see them be the norm in Tnt. I never understood why our fields are in such poor shape. Is it lack of technical expertise or like everything else just poor management? What about UWI? Particularly the agricultural department. Can’t they play a role in revitalizing many of our fields?
Pro league can survive go back to the community produce goid foitball a holistic approach government coperate sponcers people with the vision .
Great points. Government has been subsidising clubs such as Defence Force and Police for years. Ask yourself where does the prize money go when these clubs win or collect subventions? What is the money used for? Hiw are fees paid by these teams? Who controls their bank accounts? They should offer support to other clubs in the league or remove those teams as they are heavily subsidised by the state. Growing up, all I knew about was Army, Police or Trintoc. There were a few teams that were community based at the time that challeged those 3 occasionally. They have since faded from memory. These are still here and I would argue that it is because of government support. Those top teams could not have existed or won titles without the state’s involvement then, neither can they now. Something must be done to help the others level the playing field in some way.
Good point.
No Police and DF players are not fully professional. They have to fulfill their work obligations like any other military personnel. What they do have is a sports budget, so they will not need to worry much about funding because it is already budgeted.
Excellent points by both Jamaal and Keith. We know anecdotally that our various professional teams aid in crime reduction, but there’s little scientific evidence of such. One of the criteria that must be in place for a future Life Sport type program is impact assessment. Those receiving funding must be able to show how their work is impacting the social issues they are working on. Their ability to access subsequent funding would be contingent on the extent of the impact they’re having. I wish our Minister of Sports was privy to these type of discussions. Lasana – we need to link him in.
The comments are stored under the story and remain there to be accessed by anyone who is interested.
I don’t know if the Sport Minister reads. But I know other influential people in his ministry do.
..TTPL clubs have a financial plan that is geared toward independence and sustainability? That looks to other income streams that State largesse and hand outs? Why should the State owe more to a small, select group of football clubs than to retrenched workers and the people as a whole? And I never suggested that sport doesn’t play a role in providing an alternative to anti-social behaviour. But has anyone demonstrated a relationship between the subsidy to TTPL clubs and a reduction in crime in the areas where these clubs are located? It’s self-serving to just claim there is one. Anyhow, I promise to stay outta this yes..
I dont think we should over personalize the issue to the sins of one or two clubs. Since the points made by Carlos Lee and company are pointing towards some sort of solution oriented approach. I think it is cynical to suggest that sports and culture does not have a counterbalancing effect on crime. Or to discount the social benefits of same. One has to wonder if Life Sport was put into the hands of the Pro League and Super League and Hoop for Life was put into the hands of a well organized Basketball Federation if it would not have been a tremendous avenue for development
Shabazz politically I don’t often agree with you. But I respect you. You don’t hide, you don’t patronize. Excellent points. The government always pays lip service. Send money ostensibly into distressed communities but really in the hands of friends, supporters and family.
I loving the discussion!! Was tempted to jump in since last night but wanted the convo to develop. Football is a t its cross roads and any decision made now is going to have a telling effect! This a world cup qualifying year, Copa is on, European cup is on time to piggy back on the interest!! The Proleague media game must step up, the clubs must use this summer to connect with the communities through camps,community outreaches etc a plan and pathway must be developed for the Proleague for the next five years. All stakeholders NEED to return to the planning rooms examine what is locally,what has been done internationally and come up with a holistic plan going forward!! We have talked too much and it have come to this history will judge us time to stand up or shut up!!
how could the team that won 2 league titles in a row collect 2 million and had sis and bankers insurance as sponsors can’t afford 2 be back in pfl ? let me tell you why when they busy taking people money and doing all kind of shit with a set of unnecessay money showing off and looking to be all up in the news instead of focusing on the important issues like balancing books growth and stability then why should they when its not your money spending but somebody else”s that’s the mentality of most trinis that’s why we can never go 1st world in anything the culture and mindset of people here are so backward and selfish
Banditry. That’s why
TTFA President needs to call ALL clubs in. I don’t support ‘Community Stadia’ but certainly ‘Community Grounds’ with integration & some merging of Zones, Super League & Pro League Clubs. Jamaal’s fair request may be best nationally achieved than every man fighting for himself.
What’s the difference between community stadia and grounds though? I believe clubs want something that seats between 2,000 to 5,000 persons.
Mahaica oval is a community ground with no comfort afforded to fans. Whatever is done must be properly planned with fans and players in mind.
IMO a Community Ground is a simple 800-1000 seat stand [e.g Gustine or Fatima] with 600 seat removable bleachers. Regularly fill that in a 10 Year plan, with Gov’t support & then get teams to move to the stadiums!
Nicholas, you know that big cup games already get as much as double that eh. Granted most pro league games don’t though. But if the pro league already has one or two games a season that are between 1,000 to 2,000 attendance, then I feel you should cater for more spectators than 800 to 1,000.
You give yourself no room for growth there. How expensive would it then be to upgrade?
I would recommend you shoot for at least a 2,000 seater with the ability to expand within two years.
What ground Caledonia or Jabloteh could own in their communities they controlled by state. Look Terry tried to get something done at no expense to Govt in the Morvant ground and men shoot it down
..As they should have. Park Street is State property and belongs to the entire community, not any one club..
So how did Queens Park get their own. And how in cricket Clarke Road and Preysal and company can literally control so called community grounds and when it comes to football they same cannot apply ?
..QPCC was a protectorate of the colonial State. You using them? And if some cricket clubs fot away with it foitball clubs must accept it? So when one club controls Park Street what happens to Elements FC? Or Cosmos Eagles FC? Or any other Morvant club? I agree community facilities are needed, FOR USE BY ALL CLUBS. Why should TTPL clubs have most favoured status.? Again. This is why I should have stayed away from this discussion..
There must be a formula where not just our club has exclusivety. Our care is not singular to our team. We can work out a schedule for use my language ‘ give us the venues ‘ may not have been the best choice of her majesty’s language. But times of training and matches are a matter of proper scheduling people within the community working together. This can only benefit Morvant and Laventille. Yet you are going to leave cricket clubs to get away with owning a ground and vehement against football doing same ?
..You know me better than that. State property is the property of ALL. Come up with a proposal for the development of any field in question. FC Santa Rosa did for the Arima Velodrome. Five years ago. A complete proposal, including technical drawings, artificial field, and project budget. This would have benefited all Arima sport and the Velodrome would have REMAINED THE PROPERTY OF THE ARIMA BOROUGH CORPORATION. We submitted it to the ABC AND THE MP FOR ARIMA. That was the end of that. It went the way of all flesh. So I know. But good for TTPL good for all. The favouring of TTPL by the State is NOT good for our overall football development. And the TTPL clubs have shown little inclination and/or initiative to stand on their own..
Keith the people Terry Fenwick talking about could do that easy. And that is why I brought the political connotation. At least we started we made an investment. ….for us now to ask Govt to give us community fields that are dilapidated anyhow is not a ridiculous request
So its not a case we just went with a cap in our hands we had 5 years of investment and proof of what we put into the national economy. YOU all know to run even a zone team you have to beg borrow and literally ‘tief’
..How about the clubs creating the basis for self-sufficiency instead of waiting on the State?..
It is important to know the genesis of the funding from Govt. The Pro League approached the Ministry of Finance and made a case for the industry showing the investment made by the Clubs. It was predicated on the agreement that Govt would make available and upgrade community grounds to Pro League Clubs. In this way with revenue earning grounds a shelf life would be determined for the monthly funding. Successive Governments choose to continue the funding but ignore the opportunity to create self sufficiency so we never got the upgraded revenue earning fields.
So to suggest why Pro League clubs ? We made a case to the Minister of Finance based on our investments it did not start on Govt funding. And what prevents other entities from organizing themselves to seek same.
All clubs /organizations would be entitled to submit proposals. And clear criteria /guidelines will need to be established before hand. But like all well intended programs that are government driven, there’s always a possibility for corruption. Thoughts on how best to manage such a program? Independent board? There should be some good learnings from the former Life Sport program.
For the life of me, I don’t understand why football teams feel they can’t reach outside of themselves to run or improve a business or business model.. FIFA has lawyers and businessmen. The Super League got Anthony Harford. The examples and success stories are out there. I think government has to support any entity that showcases a sustainable model that allows for weaning off the government teats after some period, maybe three to five years?? Any such government policy should be industry neutral and have a set of defined rules and regulations. It would apply to football, culture or any industry requiring an initial helping hand, and which would be a net positive to the economy and communities. Overall, it must be sustainable, so possibly the government should request a seat on any board which will help with oversight and general assistance to meet annual goals. Once, an organization wants to access said funds, they would decide if they could comply with the requisite rules and regulations. Good discussion.
..I promised myself to stay out of this. The same issue would remain. Doh vex wit meh: Lots of people frame their appeal to the state for funding in “crime fighting” terms. Has anyone ever quantified the social benefits of that funding? Does it truly stop crime? Selection criteria. Why only TTPL clubs? Why not others? How deep into the football pyramid should this proposed programme descend? NSL? Regions? Club capacity to absorb funding.
..Hmmmm..
Yes Keith. A better managed Life Sport type program.
..Life Sport?..
Excellent point Stefano Monti. Very well said. Government funds should not be used to pay for a professional football league. However, Pro League teams, with a little creativity, should be able to access government funds through contractual means. For example, they can write proposals to the government to establish and run football and related camps in the communities in which they live. If they can show that such camps/community based programs will help to reduce crime, provide kids with one or more technical skills, develop soft skills, provide kids with positive role models, and indirectly serve as a daycare while parents are away at work, then government should want to fund the program. The funds can then be used by the professional teams to offset their expenditures. If the government continue to issue $50K checks to all professional football clubs they will never think outside the box. There is a saying necessity is the mother of all invention/innovation.
There are also albatrosses that need to be retired and then there are those who are self seeking at the expense of the beautiful game and the players in positions of leadership. They need to slink away.
I agree with Shabazz, The PNM has much to be thankful for and they should sponsor the football. They also need to uplift the very persons who perpetually keep them in the halls of power. If the Government are serious about using Sport as a vehicle to develop character and self esteem and as a way to alleviate poverty and crime, then they need to subsidize the game. Our Pro league remains developmental because it has never been fully supported and funded by the TTFA. The funds were siphoned off and made its way in offshore accounts and local banks.
Corporate Trinidad will only step up if there is tangible benefits to them. Trini as a whole only like sports when teams and athletes are winning, we like fete way more than sports.
The government has to restore the game to its past former glory before jack warner dismantled elite teams and appointed yes men at the helm of all aspects of the game. They can do this by building community fields and employing persons to administer and maintain them.
After the crowds come to support as a matter of regional pride, they can gradually hand over full responsibility to the clubs. The ONLY reason the Pro league has survived is through Governmental subvention. just ask the Lackey Harrison. he was on here just yesterday crying on how difficult it was to pay salaries on the Government money. Someone asked him wheat about the Prize money and he slinked away, unfortunately not for good. A soon as he hears the clinking of pennies he will reemerge for a share.
Meanwhile the game suffers, the players suffer and black hen chickens sucking salt.