Skeene: National philosophy soon
By: Lasana Liburd (Express)
Monday, October 22nd 2007
The Trinidad and Tobago Pro League yesterday took the first step towards the establishment of a national philosophy for local football with a six and a half hour long seminar at the VIP Lounge of the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Dexter Skeene, Pro League CEO, expressed his satisfaction with the quality of ideas and level of interaction at the symposium and vowed to work on its implementation.
Skeene heads a five member committee who volunteered to document the ideas generated yesterday into a "working paper". The committee also comprises past and present football stakeholders Keith Look Loy, Osmond Downer, Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips, Arthur Hutton and Delano Sanchez.
"It is just the start and it can only be positive for our football," said Skeene. "A lot of suggestions came forward as to how we should proceed with a national philosophy for football in Trinidad and Tobago.
"We plan to implement it within the Pro League because we operate at all levels from youth to senior levels."
The symposium stressed the value of attitude, mental and physical preparation and youth development in creating a more successful future for the local game.
Phillips, who is the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) technical director and a former national standout, Vibe CT 105 W Connection owner David J Williams, Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA director Brian Lewis and 2007 Under-17 World Cup coach Anton Corneal all gave presentations that ranged from the style of play on the field to the importance of sound lifestyle choices and administrative support and the concept of winning.
There were also several contributions from the floor including national head coach and former Holland World Cup player, Wim Rijsbergen, who bemoaned the diet and fitness level of his local squad. He revealed that as few as five players bothered to have breakfast on the country's last overseas assignment to El Salvador, which ended in a goalless draw.
"Not one of (the national squad who faced El Salvador) was ready physically for international football," said Rijsbergen.
More than one speaker made mention of the absence of the T&TFF bigwigs yesterday. A T&TFF representative was listed, in the initial programme, to present on "the roles and functions of the different organisations affiliated with football in Trinidad and Tobago".
However, Skeene, who said T&TFF president Oliver Camps endorsed the symposium but was unable to attend, insisted that their presence was not vital at this stage.
"The technical director (Phillips), head coach (Rijsbergen) and youth development officer (Corneal) were there and were able to give their views," said Skeene, "and I think they were the most important people at this stage.
"The final report will be sent to the T&TFF."
