INVEST IN THE triumphant Barbados Under-17 football team!Head of the delegation, Franklyn Gill made this call after the team returned home last Saturday from Suriname where they won their first round Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying group for the FIFA World Youth Cup.The long-standing football administrator told NATIONSPORT he would be meeting with president of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), Ronald Jones shortly to update him on what was required for the second phase of qualification in Jamaica from August 20 to 24.“The BFA should invest in the players on a long-term basis and I hope that the public would support them financially as they go to the next leg in Jamaica,” Gill said.“I would be speaking to the president so that arrangements could be made easily to have the squad ready in all departments,” he added.Gill was quick to point out that the YMCR’s hostel which is located in the corporate area and in the heart of Paramaribo where the players stayed, was ideal for a good result.Barbados crushed Grenada 6-0, blanked St Vincent and the Grenadines 3-0 and drew 2-2 with hosts, Suriname.“The managers, coaches and players adjusted to the conditions quickly, having no television, radio, telephone or newspapers written in English to serve as distractions,” he noted. “Coach Kenville Layne was able to set out his training sessions prior to and after matches and impress upon the players why they should perform at their optimum. “The manager (Dave Small) was also able to assist by instilling in the players that our reason for being in Suriname was to get a good result and that was to win our leg,” Gill said.“The management and players alike combined well and although the conditions seemed to have given rise on a few occasions to restlessness and a bit of lawlessness, the conduct and deportment of all was very satisfactory,” he added.Gill also believed that the quality of the management, team members, and the coaches and medic allowed the team to perform to its maximum and to draw on resources, which no one could have anticipated.“The final game against Suriname was indicative of this as the lads were able to pull back from being down 2-0 with 38 minutes remaining to draw level 2-2 and win the tournament,” he said.“They were some very intelligent players who needed no supervision once they had gone onto the pitch, while there were some who although they were outstanding throughout the tournament, had to be given some guidance during matches from coach Layne.”Gill also noted that having the Cuban-trained and certified trainer/medic Anreco Ramsay was an asset because he was able to multi-task as trainer, medic and part-time coach.
