Football’s world governing body FIFA launched its first-ever Technical Exchange Programme at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston yesterday.

The historic programme sees technical directors and grassroots managers from across the Caribbean region sharing in a three-day workshop designed for the sharing of information, ideas and technical expertise.

Jorge Garcia, who represented FIFA, explained that the project was to be replicated throughout the world, after its beginning here in Jamaica.

“This is quite special because this is the very last event we are organising before the World Cup, so we are happy to be here in Jamaica. This is a pilot project, so this is a new programme that FIFA is developing at the moment, and if it works well it will officially begin next year. This is the first pilot of five of them that we are doing all over the world,” he explained.

Garcia encouraged those who were selected to participate in the workshop to immerse themselves totally over the next three days.

“This is not only three days of work, this is the beginning of a long project so we expect you to work hard in your own country. The idea for the next three days is that we exchange knowledge — this is why we have called it an exchange programme — so for us it is very important that your participate.”

Andre Waugh, who spoke on behalf of the regional governing body Concacaf, said that his organisation was in full support of the programme.

“Concacaf supports these initiatives led by the world governing body FIFA to grow the game from the ground up. Through initiatives like these, the platform is set for battle, debate and ultimately the exchange of ideas, ideas and best practices which will snowball into developing further the beautiful game in our region,” said the Jamaican.

Waugh encouraged the participants to make full use of the opportunity, echoing the comments of Garcia.

“The game is not won from the sidelines; it is won by all players getting involved on the pitch in an attempt to outwork each other, to outscore each other and to win the game. Let me encourage you over the next few days not to sit on the sideline, but to lace up your shoes, get on the field and be an active player,” he said.

The former Reggae Boy fitness trainer challenged participants to open their minds to the many possibilities that would be available to them over the three days.

“Be a part of the process, share your ideas. Your full involvement will bring credibility to the process. Likewise, let me also encourage you to be open-minded, be prepared to listen you just might learn something,” Waugh said.

Dalton Wint, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary who spoke on behalf of absent President Michael Ricketts, said: “I want to thank FIFA for choosing Jamaica to host this exchange programme. Jamaica’s doors are always open to facilitate any activity which we think will advance the beautiful game that we love,” he said.

Wint is sure that the programme will grow beyond grass roots and he sees further exchanges in the offing.

“The JFF, in particular, is happy with the approach that this initiative introduces, which is to exchange experiences and ideas on a very important area of football development. We are beginning with the grassroots programme, but I am one hundred per cent sure that this approach can extend to so many other areas that we can learn from each other and plan for future growth. I am sure youth development, growing the women’s game, coaching development are a few of the areas that we could continue this exchange programme on,” Wint noted.

The participants will make presentations on case studies and on day two they will be visiting a school to look at current grass-roots practices in Jamaica.

— Dwayne Richards