Phillips: FIFA, CONCACAF happy with TTFA
From Trinidad Express
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Sheldon Phillips returned from the Cayman Islands yesterday feeling assured that the hierarchy of CONCACAF is pleased with the direction in which the TTFA has been heading in since President Raymond Tim Kee took the top post late last year.
Both Phillips and Tim Kee were at the inaugural CONCACAF summit, at which 41 national football association representatives, several Caribbean political leaders, and FIFA’s global leadership, partnered with members of the media, business and non-profits to exemplify the CONCACAF Sports Summit’s theme—“Transformation Through Partnership.”
Several panels and presentations provided firsthand accounts of the transformative nature of their relationship with football, while others described the progress that their partnerships have made possible.
Among the chief speakers were FIFA President Sepp Blatter, CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, Nic Coward, the general secretary of the English Premier League, Hassan Abdullah Al-Thawadi, the CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2022, South Africa 2010 LOC boss Danny Jordaan, Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller, former T&T international footballer Dwight Yorke, Kieran Foley of Digicel, ex-T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and Gala Banquet speaker Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.
“The summit was very informative in that it provided an overview of all the available development programs being offered by FIFA and CONCACAF,” Phillips told TTFA Media, adding that the TTFA stands to benefit from FIFA and Concacaf development programmes.
“Those at FIFA and CONCACAF seemed happy with the direction the TTFA is heading.
“We will benefit from the full spectrum of financial, equipment, coaching and administrative training, and IT resources offered by both FIFA and CONCACAF. Key among our targeted requests will be development initiatives that will enhance our grassroots and girls/women’s programmes,” Phillips added.
Both Tim Kee and Phillips also held discussions about the game with Yorke and \Hislop.
Meanwhile, Jamaican prime minister Simpson-Miller, on the heels of her country’s disappointing exit from the 2014 World Cup qualification race, committed her government to helping the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) achieve their development goals by supporting partnerships between government and business and football organisations. She then urged other governments around the world to follow in her footsteps.
“My government has a very good and long-standing relationship with the JFF and we support their development efforts. We encourage business and other organisations to partner with football entities to develop this great sport. We also applaud FIFA’s regional programmes, which have been of great benefit to our country.”
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Horton speaks at football summit
By Lawrence Trott, The Royal Gazette
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Randy Horton was a guest speaker at the CONCACAF Sports Summit in the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.
Horton, a former Sports Minister and professional footballer for the New York Cosmos, spoke on the topic, ‘Football as an influential agent for positive change” where he highlighted significant periods of his career when football was a positive factor in people’s lives.
He mentioned Warwick Secondary School (now TN Tatem) where he was the principal, its proud students and the school’s motto “Vision Vigour Victory” and the Cosmos for whom he played in the North American Soccer League.
Horton also spoke of the long-term positive relationship between the Bermuda Government and the Bermuda Football Association.
Other speakers were FIFA president Blatter, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, former Trinidad footballer Dwight Yorke, Kieran Foley of Digicel, ex-professional goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and gala banquet speaker Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela and who highlighted the role of FIFA in the fight againt apartheid when FIFA expelled South Africa from international football.
The summit took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Seven Mile Beach on Tuesday and was attended by a Bermuda Football Association delegation including president Larry Mussenden, General Secretary David Sabir and Player Development Committee chairman Mark Wade.
Invited guests included Minister of Sport, Wayne Scott, along with Ministers of Sports from the other CONCACAF countries.
Minister Scott was able to attend all the sessions and meet the leaders of FIFA and CONCACAF as well as the Ministers of Sports from the various countries. He was able to hear first hand of the amount of development resources invested in football, youth development and of the need for government participation.
In addition to the Tuesday summit, the BFA delegation attended working sessions on Monday and Wednesday in relation to the continued development of football in the region, the various programmes provided to member associations and other issues including the following:
• New regulations for FIFA programmes
• The need for technical directors and technical structures
• Integrity in football
• The fight against racism and discrimination
•Women’s football development, including a girl’s grassroots programme and;
• Communication of football matters to the media and using different media and social media.
The BFA officials along with colleagues from other countries made presentations as follows:
Mark Wade on beach soccer; David Sabir on communication between member countries and Larry Mussenden on strategic planning.
Mussenden stated: “The BFA was absolutely thrilled that Minister Scott could attend the summit to represent the Bermuda Government and to get a first hand understanding of our worldwide commitment and mandate to developing young people through football. The BFA looks forward to working with the Minister on a positive and exciting way forward for football and our youth as well as to continued work by the BFA Executive Committee and the Clubs to develop football.”
PHOTO: Former professional footballer-turned politician randy Horton speaks at the CONCACAF Sports Summit in the Cayman Islands attended by Sports Minister Wayne Scott and BFA officials Larry Mussenden, David Sabir and Mark Wade
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http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20131024/SPORT01/131029826
