Well as an Indian and former owner of Soca Curry United in the fantasy League, yuh know yuh boy had to chip in.
First of all when I watch the Warriors I feel nothing but pride as a TRINI.
However, regarding Indians in TT the following must be noted:
(i) Indians do focus more on acaedemics than sports. Africans usually do the opposite, I have many African friends from UWI who have lamented on this.
There is also a Minister in the PNM Govt. who wished to have some additonal spots for the Institute of Technology JUST for those of African descent to compensate for this. (Please doh get vex wit me fuh dat....becz dat was not my idea).
(ii) Most Indians in TT is BUSS UP meat, perhaps with the exception of Pork, so de meat thing is of miniscule importance in TT.
(iii) No one bothered to mention that in National training practices, non Africans are usually treated a little different. Also those from Prestige schools are usually the the recipients of snubs. The idea is that the poor black man must have a chance to get through, and sometimes is just pure bigotry.
Graeme Rodgriguez, Colin Rocke and the non whites on the 1990 WC youth team have mentioned this.
Tiger Phillips has constantly mentioned that the TT team should represent ppl of all races. Doesn't anyone find it strange that he should say this publicly. Lincoln went to QRC and has spent quite a bit of time in the US, and perhaps he has a more matrue approach to selection than some other members of the coaching fraternity.
Now if a youth man getting tunder becz he different, naturally he may be discouraged. Some might say he should have the belly and fight it...but the discouragement is understandable.... In additon if you have academic options, well you just move on.
(iii) India as a country has underachieved in football becz the administration is a joke that does nothing for th sport, being run by those with connections who only wish to enjoy the posterity of the position.
(iii) Indians can't succeed in sports that require "strenght and endurance."
Well Pakistan and India do damn well in International hockey and cricket. Last time I checked they required both.
Do you know that half the men fighting for nationa amateur boxing titles in TT in the 80s were Indian. Keith Ragoonath was undefeated in two divisions and a New York Golden Gloves Champ, but they preferred to select African fighters from TT and the man NEVER got a pick. Why? because he had no condiitoning or endurance??
(iv) I know that we have Birchall in the set up. But our players are pros in England...birch. can play, and I believe the mindset is more mature.
(v) Lastly let me say that if non Africans were given a fairer chance at national practice,we would probably have had a few more Indians over the last 10 years but Afrcians would still dominate the football scene.
In 2005 the U 20 and U 17 Captains of TT were of Indian descent, so obviously we have some fellas dey who could hand their business.
Peace,
VB