Sports Ministry to assist football

THE MINISTRY of Sport and Youth Affairs plans to put more emphasis on the development of football throughout the country this year. Making this pledge was Sports Minister Roger Boynes at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) Regional Associations prize-giving ceremony at the Prisons’ Sports Complex, Arouca yesterday. In the feature address Boynes noted that “the Ministry proposes to support football in 2004 and, as part of the National Sports Policy, we’ll be including participation of everyone — the schools, the communities, the TTFF and its affiliates.” Touching on the current state of local football, the verbose Minister was adamant “let us work to make it right,” adding “we hear of great plans but no effort (to implement them) and we are all to blame.”

Boynes encouraged corporate sponsors to join in the support of football, and revealed that all stakeholders will participate in a seminar of national sporting associations at Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain on January 24,  “as they seek to change the culture of doing things in TT.” Also addressing the gathering were TTFF president Oliver Camps and CONCACAF Director of Development Richard Brathwaithe.

Honours roll: Southern Football Association —  Executive Cup — Club Sando; Petrotrin League Cup — Club Sando; Petrotrin Super League — Club Sando (winners and Club of the Year); Anthony Fongenie (MVP); Muhammad Isa — Club Sando (Coach of the Year).
Northern Football Association: Super Knockout — Superstar Rangers; FA Trophy — Excel Orientals; Big 6 — Fire Services; Team of the Year (senior and youth) — Fire Services.
Eastern Counties Football Association: FA Trophy and League Cup — Valencia United.
Central Football Association: League — Las Lomas United; FA Trophy — Couva Players United; League Cup — Leeds FC; Team of Year — Couva Players United.
Eastern Football Association: League — Samba Xtra Malt East San Juan United; League Cup — Crab Connection; President’s Cup — Athletico Sports Institute; FA Trophy — Joe Public; Team of the Year — San Juan United; Player of Year — Allan Sorzano.