There are some interesting points being raised in terms of player selection here.
Look if Trini born players who are plying their trade abroad in any way possible achieved an opportunity as a result of playing for the national team do they owe TTFA or the general public for that matter service to the national team?
- A player should have a choice to decide whether playing for the national team is at the risk of being injured and jeopardizing his livelihood. This begs the question- do football governing bodies take out insurance policies- ( Lloyd's of London) to insure players and duly compensate them in the likelihood of an injury which could be career threatening?
It is disconcerting to see players who refuse a call to duty for the national team yet quite understandable if they are obligated to cub teams and or if they are not TnT by birth.
How patriotic, motivated and opportunistic is the payer when making that decision if he is attached to a foreign club or foreign born comes into play.
Hence In my opinion it is imperative that player development and national team selection have amore robust structure to harvest local talent.
Resurrect - Regional rivalries- North - South for example.
Create a robust selection process locally - with regional tournaments at least five time's throughout the year
Foreign born players - tryouts- with foreign camps and team tryouts.
Ensure players are compensated for service and insurance are in place
Representing the national team should be an honor and a call to duty- If as a result of representing the team a player is able to advance their career or achieve a club contract, I think their ought to be some stipulation that if called upon and selected for national duty, that this is deemed reciprocal obligation.
At the end of the day it is the player's choice, there is no legal conscription to serve national football duty but here is a moral imperative to do what you can for your country of choice.
