Carib- Afri CUP

[AB.Trini]

'Bout time we look at arranging a tournament that  tugs at the diaspora. Would like to see us host a tournament comprising  TnT and  another top  three Caribbean teams to take on four teams from countries in Africa.

Barring national teams, maybe the pro league  could set up a promotional tournament  where by we host three other Caribbean teams/ or club teams ( this may eliminate participation from some countries who do not have professional clubs) and four  clubs teams from countries in Africa for a tournament to kick of the new season.

Host matches in different communities and try to generate some fan interest. Thoughts?

[amielisadore]

'Bout time we look at arranging a tournament that  tugs at the diaspora. Would like to see us host a tournament comprising  TnT and  another top  three Caribbean teams to take on four teams from countries in Africa.

Barring national teams, maybe the pro league  could set up a promotional tournament  where by we host three other Caribbean teams/ or club teams ( this may eliminate participation from some countries who do not have professional clubs) and four  clubs teams from countries in Africa for a tournament to kick of the new season.

Host matches in different communities and try to generate some fan interest. Thoughts?

Very interesting proposition but it would boil down to the age old problem of funding. Four African teams would mean a multi million dollar budget. The African countries may also only be open to the idea of funding the project if they fly our teams to their country similar to what Nigeria does with PanTrinbago and flying steelbands over for carnival.

From a club level, not sure how much of an attraction it would be to clubs and players as well. Projects such as these are a lot more useful for clubs and players when it involves European and MLS teams because it opens the shop window. Corporate T&T is also more likely to fund the Euro/MLS project.

[Tiresais]

Would rather make sure our member countries attend CONCACAF and CFU competitions first

[AB.Trini]

As with most things TnT funding could be an obstacle but with some partnership and collaboration this could be  a  profitable venture:
If the following ministries could collaborate:

1. Trade Tourism Sport - Each  could gain potential benefits and there are some serious gains to quire.
2. Corporate TNT that is looking to  expand  regionally and internationally

3FIFA - what funding is available for support and development?

I think we have to look at creative marketing new capital ventures and different avenues to promote and develop the profile of our professional league and our players.  We have a good base here and we have a market that could do with an infusion of collaboration from the respective sectors to enhance  positive growth all round for our nation and football.

[Tiresais]

As with most things TnT funding could be an obstacle but with some partnership and collaboration this could be  a  profitable venture:
If the following ministries could collaborate:

1. Trade Tourism Sport - Each  could gain potential benefits and there are some serious gains to quire.
2. Corporate TNT that is looking to  expand  regionally and internationally

3FIFA - what funding is available for support and development?

I think we have to look at creative marketing new capital ventures and different avenues to promote and develop the profile of our professional league and our players.  We have a good base here and we have a market that could do with an infusion of collaboration from the respective sectors to enhance  positive growth all round for our nation and football.

Sadly I can't see where the market for this is - lets be blunt who outside the hard-core fans in T&T and these countries would be interested in T&T v Cameroon? T&T v DRC? DRC has a huge football market, but tickets over there are even cheaper than T&T, and fans follow local teams and European teams. What sponsors will find it cost-effective to sponsor games between these countries? There's next to no tourism potential in African countries, either way - both countries, if they have the money for tourism, are looking to Europe or the US to spend their money. They don't need hot weather, the majority of African countries have plenty of that already :p

[AB.Trini]

For once let's diverge from a "Eurocentric" mindset. Football excellence does not have to revolve around Europe  and European leagues.

This is a bot exploring new market potential- this is about linking connections based on cultural, developmental and potential economic ties- it is not all about  superficial " hot weather" escapades.

There is more to Africa and the Caribbean than " hot weather."  From a football and marketing perspective, the novelty factor and the cultural links could be combined with our "Best Village"  piece to create a hype. There are ways to market and to promote this venture if people see possibilities rather than barriers and conventional approaches.

[Tiresais]

For once let's diverge from a "Eurocentric" mindset. Football excellence does not have to revolve around Europe  and European leagues.

This is a bot exploring new market potential- this is about linking connections based on cultural, developmental and potential economic ties- it is not all about  superficial " hot weather" escapades.

There is more to Africa and the Caribbean than " hot weather."  From a football and marketing perspective, the novelty factor and the cultural links could be combined with our "Best Village"  piece to create a hype. There are ways to market and to promote this venture if people see possibilities rather than barriers and conventional approaches.

Please don't be offended - I'm with you on promoting "South-South" relations and development, but this particular example needs more behind it in order to work. We might be better off trying to explore links to China, and to a lesser extent, India, the former of which has a growing football market whilst the latter is mooted as a potential growth area for football. African football (if we can lump so many countries together) will be boosted by their significant economic growth over the next decade, but that's just it - we're a decade away from being able to make that work imo.

What does "Best village" mean? Novelty factor is just that - something new that dissipated quickly. If T&T wants to build international football links away from the West then China or our South American brothers make for better markets I think.

[Controversial]

i think it is a great idea, the only problem is who organizing it? definitely not the ttfa... next thing coaches and players not getting paid... sheldon is the only man who know what he doing but he surrounded by incompetents

[dreamer]

We need as many Cup tournaments as possible (no matter how contrived) as any excuse to keep the team playing together and playing under pressures for something.
2018 World Cup has to be a serious quest as we are building a promising talent pool that just needs the right perfect storm of good coach, functional TTFA, supportive government, courageous business investors and some luck with key players free of injuries and tragedies.

[Football supporter]

i think it is a great idea, the only problem is who organizing it? definitely not the ttfa... next thing coaches and players not getting paid... sheldon is the only man who know what he doing but he surrounded by incompetents

No international tournament, tour or fixture can be arranged without the support of the football federations. 7 days before Walsall flew over, we discovered that they suddenly needed an invite from TTFA to the F.A.!

Bringing a team from Africa to play here would have no value at all to the Pro League clubs. It's a nice idea, but it would need to be organised at a governmental or Federation level. I cannot see the benefit of spending a single Tourism dollar on it. If the government are interested in economic links with Africa there could be interest.

Personally, I would much rather target Central America or the northern countries in South America. They are within our economic reach as well as close enough to develop tourist routes. They also have professional leagues who may like our players and it also could attract their players to the ProLeague. There would also be a possibility of traveling support.

[AB.Trini]

Somehow people are missing the boat - this is as much about football as it is about building a fan  interest in the sport. Not by sparing the expense but  by realizing that the appeal to an African showcase of the game is as much as an attempt to
Urge our fans love for the game.

We have been swooned by the European image and  by the idolatry of all things Europe La liga EPL to name ages- it is time we return to roots and I mean develop a grass roots  appeal for the game.

Would a proposal like this  revive the fans at our games ? Who is to say but the novelty of this May be just the think to get a retain type of fan coming out.