Shabazz expresses optimism over TTFA Technical appointments.
TTFA MEDIA.
Former National Women an Men’s Team coach Jamaal Shabazz has expressed optimism over the recent appointments to the Technical Committee and Women’s Senior Team made by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.
Shabazz, who was the co-coach of the T&T Men’s Senior Team during the 2012 Caribbean Cup Finals in Antigua alongside Hutson Charles, said the appointment of Richard Hood as the T&T women’s head coach which sees him leading the team for a CONCACAF Finals in a qualifier for a major world competition, is a step in the right direction and a boost for home grown coaches.
“I am very happy for Richard and by extension coaches in the Caribbean. Everytime we get a Head Coach appointment at National team level it signals the end of apprenticeship for the Caribbean Coach who has been accused of not having the experience to do the big jobs but never getting the time on the job to gain that experience,” Shabazz told TTFA Media.
He said the latest development would give Hood the chance to prove his worth and to show the capabilities of local coaches to build on what overseas coaches like Even Pellerud and Randy Waldrum had accomplished. Hood was an assistant to Pellerud for the 2010 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in T&T.
“I think guys like Randy Waldrum and Even Pellerud did well for us but Richard gets the opportunity to signal that our time has come. His biggest challenge is to keep the team focused from the noise and distractions around the game,” Shabazz.
T&T has a tough task to reach the 2016 Olympics with only the two top teams advancing out of the CONCACAF Final round. Trinidad and Tobago’s Women will open their CONCACAF Final round account against Guatemala in February 11th. They will face Canada on February 14th and Guyana on February 16th.
“Richard has the aggression and competitiveness that is needed in the squad right now. How he treats with the eagles, doves and even the canaries on the team is crucial.”
The founder and Technical Director of Caledonia Morvant United described the appointments to the TTFA Technical Committee, chaired by Dexter Skeene, as a signal that the FA is committed to placing strong emphasis on development and he hopes that there will be collective efforts in the best interest of the local game despite the absence of names that some may think should be involved.
The new appointees of Technical Committee brings a variance of knowledge and practical experience. One or two names that have shown competence are absent but I trust in the capability of the Committee to act without fear or favour. We will all not be pleased as there are so much top technicians not in the list.
“My experience with such appointments is some will always be pleased, some would be vexed and others will obviously wish it were them. The immediate functioning of the Technical Committee is so important because the Caribbean has caught up with us at youth level,” Shabazz added.
