Sport

Good win for Boyz

Crenston Boxhill - file

LAST WEEK'S 1-0 victory over Guatemala provided a shot in the arm for the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and head coach Wendell Downswell.

The failure to qualify for the final round of the CONCACAF qualifiers was a huge disappointment for local football followers and the JFF. The disappointment has been eased somewhat by victory in the Digicel Caribbean Cup and subsequent qualification for July's Gold Cup in the United States.

However, in order to attract teams of quality for friendly internationals leading up to the Gold Cup, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will have to continue to improve their world ranking and the victory over Guatemala, a team which is still in the running for World Cup qualification from this region, will be noted by the governors of the sport.

Important wins

Last week's victory will also have warmed the hearts of president Crenston Boxhill and Downswell. Following the failure to reach the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, the JFF administration embarked on a policy which focusses on both the youth and local-based players. They have now scored two important wins with these mostly young, local-based players and it should not be long before they regain the confidence of the public and are able to stage an international match which can bring back large crowds to the National Stadium.

Gaining back the confidence of the public is important. A football programme focussing on young players will cost millions of dollars as it has to be sustained for a long period, possibly four years. To finance such a venture the JFF will have to stage friendly matches which will ensure competitive and attractive football. Spectators will not go to the National Stadium to watch low level football. At the same time, if quality teams are invited, the fans want to seen their team competing at a satisfactory level.

With the CONCACAF qualifiers now on a break, the hope is that the Reggae Boyz can attract top CONCACAF teams such as Mexico and Costa Rica to the National Stadium as they prepare for clashes against some of the region's best teams at the Gold Cup.

Wrong move

As it formulates its plans for moving forward, the JFF should think carefully when taking decisions on remuneration for players. A recent report suggests that a player was making certain demands of the JFF and the federation will be meeting to discuss the issue.

To my mind that's a wrong move. Individual players who wish to make playing football a profession need the JFF much more than the federation needs them. To obtain work permits for overseas clubs, players need international caps and they can only get these by playing for their national teams. There is therefore no reason to be cuddling up with any one player. The JFF should take a professional approach to the issue and think of team first rather than individuals.