Jamaal Shabazz, a former Men’s and Women’s National coach is throwing his support behind the appointment of the Technical Committee by the T&T Football Association as well as the choice of Richard Hood as the new coach of the TT Women’s team.
Shabazz who, along with Hutson Charles, were given the coaching job of the Soca Warriors for the 2012 Caribbean Cup Final held in Antigua, said in an interview that he was very optismistic.
He added the appointment of Hood at the helm of the women’s team ahead of the coming Concacaf Finals was a step in the right direction. He also sees Hood’s appointment as a tremendous boost for local coaches following the alleged firing of Randy Waldrum as women’s coach.
The Concacaf final is being used as the qualifier for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will be played in the United States next month.
Shabazz said “I am very happy for Richard and by extension the coaches in the Caribbean. Everytime we get a coach’s appointment at national level, it signals the end of apprenticeship for Caribbean coaches who, in the past, have been accused of not having the experience to do the job.
However, they never get the opportunity to gain that experience,” Shabazz said.
He pointed out that the latest development would give Hood the chance to prove his worth and show the capabilities of local coaches, to build on the foundations of overseas coaches such as Even Pellerud and Randy Waldrum.
Ironically, Hood was the assistant to Pellerud for the 2010 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in T&T.
“I think guys like Randy Waldrum and Even Pellerud did well for us but Richard has now gotten the opportunity to show that our time has come. His biggest challenge is to keep the team focused from the noise and distractions around the game,” Shabazz explained.
T&T faces an uphill task to qualify for the Olympics as only the top two teams from the CONCACAF play-off will advance. The T&T women will open their campaign against Guatemala on February 11 and will face giants Canada two days later on February 14. They will then close with a meeting against Guyana on February 16.
The Caledonia technical director believes Richard has the aggression and competitiveness needed for the squad right now, adding “How he treats with the eagles, doves and even the canaries on the team is crucial.”
Meanwhile, Shabazz described the appointment to the TTFA Technical Committee and its chairman Dexter Skeene, as a sign that the football association is committed to placing emphasis on development. He also called for a collective effort in the best interest of local football, in spite of the absence of names that some may think should have been involved.
The appointees to the technical committee bring a variance of knowledge and practical experience. Shabazz noted: “My experience with such appointments is that some will be pleased, some will be vex and others will obviously wish it were them. The immediate functioning of the technical committee is so important because the Caribbean has caught up with us at youth level.”
WALTER ALIBEY