The National Under-23 tournament still has a final round to complete before the 2012 Olympic Games but forward Jamal Gay believes that hard work and persistence has paid rich dividends for himself and his teammates. Gay scored three goals in T&T’s Caribbean final round in St Kitts over the past week, including two in the 9-1 rout of Suriname and another in the 1-1 draw with Cuba. For much of 2010, Gay was off the radar as he struggled to make his mark in the T&T Pro League after returning from a stint in Germany and a 2009 appearance at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. “I think it’s all down to my decision to buckle down and work hard. A lot of things were said about me and I wasn’t happy. I had opportunities but I wasn’t finding form,” Gay said. “But I never gave up. I worked and  started getting better and believing in myself. I think the same goes for some of my teammates. We really want to do well but we needed to settle down and work hard. We still have a lot to do but for now we have done pretty alright and must build on this for future success,” added the ex-El Dorado Secondary and current Caledonia AIA player. Gay made his senior international debut against El Salvador in 2008 and has three goals in eight matches. He also netted in the 1-1 draw with Mexico at the Pan American Games.

Jeffrey supports TTFF ‘C’ License course

Former national striker Kevin Jeffrey appealed to all persons claiming to be concerned with the development of local football from the grassroots level to educate themselves by completing the ongoing T&TFF “C” License coaching course. Jeffrey was speaking at the National Consultation on local football hosted by the Ministry of Sport on Monday. There were several contributions, some critical of the TTFF and the general running of local football but also several that were positive contributions. Jeffrey said too many people not directly involved in football were having too much to say and should at least familiarise themselves with a proper approach to development starting with the “C” license which is conducted by TTFF instructors in conjunction with the Dutch Royal Academy. “A lot of people bash the Pro League and the TTFF but the TTFF has a programme that a lot of people maybe do not know about. I want to encourage everybody who really say they love football to do that programme because when you do you will understand where our football really needs to go,” Jeffrey said.

“A lot of people come and talk here today but are they willing to really follow a project? In doing that programme you will see exactly the model that we can adopt. I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong model but we need a model,” He added that his club DirecTV North East Stars had a coach that the club will be sending to the course. “We have one coach who is very enthusiastic. He is what we can afford right now and we will send him and that will enhance him. My point is that if we don’t support this programme, we may not be supporting progress. “I will suggest that the Sports Ministry supports this programme because it has enhanced people like myself, Clayton Ince and Anthony Rougier. “We have all bought into it. We have a lot of people with knowledge but we do not have a common foundation or model. People need to get in tune with that model,” added Jeffrey who spent eight seasons in the USL First Division.

James undergoes shoulder surgery

National team defender Julius James underwent athroscopic surgery on his shoulder in Columbus last month. The former St Anthony’s College stopper returned to Columbus to have the procedure done a week after T&T’s World Cup qualifying matches against Guyana. “I opted to get the surgery to prevent further dislocation which happened in the past,” said James. “It was successful and it’s not going to hamper my readiness for the next MLS season but it puts me at ease now regarding future problems.” The Columbus Crew man touched on the T&T’s untimely exit from the 2014 qualifiers in which he played every qualifying game prior to the 2-0 win over Guyana. “It just didn’t work out the way we wanted or hoped for and it’s sad for all of us. We have to reflect on it and really come up with answers for going forward. “We need to ensure we do not ever repeat some of the mistakes we made and also take whatever positives forward with us. I definitely hope we can improve our position in Concacaf in upcoming tournaments and for 2018, said James who was voted Columbus’s top defender for the 2011 MLS season.

Antigua Barracudas eye Samuel

Former National Under 17 and Under 20 goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel is being eyed by Antigua Barracudas, a club out of the Caribbean island which campaigns in the American  USL Professional Division. Samuel joined Antiguan club All Saints United roughly two months ago and has been their starting goalkeeper. His performances have helped the club to second place in the Antigua Premier Division. “It’s been a good experience. I’ve played in almost all their games since before I left to join the Olympic team in St Kitts. The football there is really exciting and competitive,” Samuel said. “The club has really taken good care of me so far. They have provided me with a good apartment, I have transportation and they really ensure I am comfortable. The only bad thing is that they have been ‘making style’ on me since we got knocked out. “They’re saying that Antigua is into the next round and ‘Trini’ gone home. “But other than that I’m just trying to improve my game and help the club win the title.”

By Shawn Fuentes

Source: www.guardian.co.tt