Seaga says Boyz ranking a return on investment
Chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) Edward Seaga thinks Jamaica’s national football development is on the right path.
Seaga, who has not always seen eye-to-eye with the Captain Horace Burrell-led Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), pointed to the recent soar by the Senior Reggae Boyz up the FIFA Rankings to 38th as a positive sign and a return on investment.
“Wednesday, June 29, 2011 brought about another landmark to the Jamaica Football Federation’s growing list of achievements. This following up on a strong performance at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup (and) we are now seeing signs of the hard work put in as with the release of the latest FIFA World Ranking Jamaica has now stepped up to 38th,” Seaga was quoted in a release from the PLCA yesterday.
“This is no simple achievement. It has brought a deep sense of pride and belief to the entire nation that our pride and joy — The Reggae Boyz — is being steered in the right direction,” said the former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Seaga, who also chairs the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ), said the performance of the Under-17 team prior to their elimination from the ongoing World Cup in Mexico was encouraging and he further noted that the inclusion of four “highly qualified” Brazilians to the technical coaching ranks has started to bear fruits.
“And as part of the bigger picture, the Captain’s grand plans for the future, the inclusion of the Brazilians have already borne fruit based on what has been accomplished within the last few months.
“Captain Burrell must be first and foremost commended for his leadership and the continued progress being made through all the challenges faced. The coaching team, headed by our own Theodore Whitmore, have done themselves well thus far, knowing indeed that this is only the beginning,” noted Seaga in the widely circulated release.
The outspoken Seaga, who over the past few months has lashed the JFF over one thing or another, said based on what has been on show over the past weeks, “the future for the Jamaica football landscape looks well”.