Warrior Nation Vice President Denzil Streete gives his opinion on the temporary halting of national team programs by the TTFF.
I am persuaded that this is an 'inside job' by the cronies at the helm of TTFF to achieve 3 things:
- Milk the PNM in a time of elections [political games].
- Get back some money for Jack Warner.
- Line the pockets of those at the helm.
This is the first instance where an organization is in dire financial straights and they are virtuallly scanning the globe and writing stories literally boasting that their ineptitude is getting global attention [see the latest Shaun Fuentes article].
In every normal case this would be a source of embarassment. But then again Fuentes is forced to write more about the situation and dig a deeper hole for the TTFF, since forcing the government's hand to release more cash, only ensures that he has a salary tomorrow.
In no place either prior to the World Cup or after the World Cup, prior to the World Cup's team threat or after that threat, before shut down of all programs or now, has anyone in the TTFF even attempted at making known a plan to market T&T football or at least any inkling at revenue generation. This is the first organization, outside of CEPEP and URP, that seems quite content at depending on others to ensure they have 'bread' for tomorrow. It's time that Government, before any money is given, require that as a condition of receiving assistance now or in the future, demands that the TTFF in addition to showing them development programs, also shows them a business plan that has as its goal - self-sufficiency and the actual generation of some revenue.
Part of the problem in T&T football is the fact that they know whether its UNC or PNM, they can always force the hands of governments who will do anything for votes. The United States Soccer Federation has little or no Government funding and that is good because they are forced to run a tight ship and are actually forced to think outside the box, because they know their 'bread and butter' comes from sponsors and gate receipts. Thus they are forced to always be professional, field good teams, have a structured and sensible development program, and most importantly treat fans of the game and their national teams with respect. Close to 9 months after the T&T team's appearance on June 10th against Sweden, I am yet to see a T&T kit on sale on any website owned by the TTFF. No - Francis Sports, Eurosport and others walked away with the sales of T&T shirts, when the TTFF should have been the primary supplier - thus reaping as much of the profits as possible from World Cup qualification. After Germany, TTFF should have been fully funded thus giving possible sponsors a greater reason to support them, because greater resources early on usually are a precursor to a more deliberate and systematic approach to qualification. Not a sponsor will put their money in the unstable environment that is TTFF pre- and post-World Cup.
The starting point: demanding that TTFF places some importance on its fans, working from the ground up. Sponsors are forced to notice when people rally behind a cause. It's time we kick and scream to have our voices heard. The game, in the country we love, depends on it.
The game should not be held ransom by a select few. "For the good of the game", TTFF please get a clue, true independence is self-sufficiency.