KEY local football figures believe the visit of the Fifa Women’s World Cup Trophy will go down as a signature moment in the country’s football history.

Importantly, also, they think it will serve to inspire young people who wish to pursue a career in what has been deemed the world’s most glorious sport.

Such was the allure of the majestic trophy as it stood royally at Montego Bay Sports Complex o Sunday, that Jamaican folk — young and old — could not take their gaze off it or resist the photo opportunities which arose.

“This obviously is historic and was indeed a great experience, and even though it rained it could not dampen the spirit and the excitement surrounding the trophy,” said JFF President Michael Ricketts.

“Qualifying for the World Cup was a fillip for women’s football in Jamaica, and even the wider Caribbean; and for the World Cup trophy to be on show was indeed a source of motivation for both girls and boys wanting to pursue the beautiful game of football,” he added.

Ricketts said that the experience will have a profound impact on those who had the opportunity to view the prize up close, and indeed the wider Jamaican football landscape.

“You could see the excitement from the kids as they took photographs with the trophy and this must have a positive impact on them and Jamaica’s football on a whole. I was personally delighted to have been a part of the exercise and to be that close to the trophy that the 24 teams in the Women’s World Cup will be vying for,” Ricketts admitted.

Meanwhile, Elaine Walker-Brown, chairwoman of the JFF Women’s Committee, said the trophy experience in particular and the day’s electrifying activity on whole blew her away.

“I was very excited to be a part of the trophy experience and this is an excitement that has carried over from our Girlz first qualified for the World Cup…so I think the trophy coming to Montego Bay was very inspirational for everyone, especially the kids who participated and had the opportunity to take pictures with the trophy. To me, this is all a dream and I don’t want to wake up,” she said with childlike enthusiasm.

The trophy’s arrival coincided with the Reggae Girlz’s friendly international match against Chile and a grass roots festival in the morning.

Jamaica who, like Chile, will be appearing at the June 7-July 7 Women’s World Cup in France for the first time, won the match 3-2. Sunday’s win completed a sweep of the two-match series, with the Girlz winning the first in Jamaica’s capital Kingston 1-0 on Thursday night.

As part of the trophy experience in Jamaica, there was a grass roots training festival with some 130 children aged 6-12 years, from five parishes, taking part in training sessions in the morning.

Fifa Legends squad member and former Reggae Girl Tashana Vincent took excited children through a demonstration of her footballing skills. Also joining in were Fifa’s Chief of Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman and head of women’s football in Concacaf Karina LeBlanc, who hope to encourage greater participation in the game.

Following the morning festival, the JFF officially launched it kiddies grass roots programme, which is aimed at impacting young players from the 14 parishes in the country.

Reggae Girlz Head Coach Hue Menzies underlined the significance of focusing on the grassroots level.

“We take grassroots seriously because it’s the future of our game, and the festivals will allow us to pick out some of the talent and make sure they come into our programme. We have seen a significant amount of support over the last few years from the public, so we hope that continues,” he said.

Also attending the trophy ceremony and corresponding activities were Concacaf General Secretary Philippe Moggio; Concacaf’s director of Caribbean football, Jamaican Horace Reid; One Concacaf senior manager, Jamaican Howard McIntosh; officials of Fifa; the Caribbean Football Union; the JFF and civic leaders.

The Fifa Women’s World Cup trophy is headed to Chile and Argentina before continuing its tour of all 24 participating member associations across six continents, giving fans a rare opportunity to see the coveted prize up close.

— Sean Williams