Boyz call off Bahrain match

It confirms what Burchell Gibson, general secretary of the JFF has been saying all along — that no deal had been made wth the Middle Easterners for the practice match and a live-in camp.

Bahrain had hoped that Jamaica would help them prepare for a crucial two-leg home and away play-off on November 12 and 16 for a place in the World Cup Finals in Germany next year. Gibson had told Newsday that since the proposal for the match and a five-day visit between October 30 and November 4 was made two weeks ago, he has not had any communication from Bahrain.

Gibson gave yesterday as the deadline for any deal to be made since preparations would have to be made to accommodate the visitors.

And as the deadline came and went yesterday, Burchell issued a media release which was e-mailed to Newsday outlining the details of the negotiations between the JFF and the Bahrain Football Association.

The media release stated: "As was reported in the media the Bahrain football authorities approached the Federation for a practice match for November 4, 2005.

"Subsequent to a consultation between President Crenston Boxhill and CONCACAF President, Jack Warner, who gave the match his blessing, the Bahrain authorities requested a training camp to last from October 30 - November 8.

"The Federation responded indicating its willingness to host the Bahrain delegation of forty-nine (49) persons from October 30-November 5. The Bahrain authorities then indicated that flight arrangements had been made for them to be in Jamaica from October 31-November 9. The Federation re-stated its ability to host the team from October 31- November 5.

"With respect to the negotiations regarding costs, the Bahrain authorities had requested a composite figure which would have included private security, hotel accommodation at a five star hotel, venue for training, gym facilities, luxury ground transportation as well as a practice match and it was around these requirements as well as the JFF’s fees that the negotiations were conducted. The JFF’s initial request was for US$350,000.00.

"The JFF regrets the cancellation of the match but maintains that through the whole process three factors were the guiding principles in the discussions: a)That our Trinidad and Tobago partners were comfortable with the match in the spirit of Caribbean solidarity; b) that Bahrain would have gotten the facilities that is expected from a hosting football nation and c) that the JFF earned well needed income from the venture to help finance critical areas of the National Football Programme. "The JFF continues to have discussions with other countries regarding home and away matches for our Senior National Team," the release ended.