Football fun at TTFA youth clinic

Some 80 kids from the Blanchisseuse community came out from as early as 9 am on Saturday to participate in the TTFA/OneWorldFutbol Youth Football Community clinic at the Blanchisseuse Secondary School ground.

President Anthony Carmona was welcomed by T&T Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee and they both joined the kids in singing the national anthem at the start. Each kid received playing gear and the indestructible football was used during the clinic, overseen by TTFA technical director Anton Corneal and assistants Muhammad Isa, Marlon Charles, Desiree-Ann Sargeant, Maylee Johnson and Anique Walker.

“I really enjoyed this clinic. I was taught about football and how to develop my skills. It was a fun day for all of us and most importantly I go to do it with my classmates,” said 10-year-old participant Faith Ramkissoon.

Tim Kee stressed the need for the TTFA to continue spreading the game throughout T&T.

“This is such an important undertaking by the association. We intend to take the game to the kids in the various communities and offer them an opportunity to learn more about the sport, to have fun, to engage in healthy activities and perhaps offer our national scouts and coaches some more options in the future,” Tim Kee said.

“And while it’s about having the kids have fun while playing, there is also a serious side to it because they are being taught discipline and skill. This is all tied into the entire exercise and I am really looking forward to the various camps that will take place in the weeks to come.”

Partnering the TTFA in this venture is Coca Cola, Lifestyle Motors, TSTT and BG T&T.

Latapy keen on new role in Scotland

Former national player and head coach Russell Latapy has been given a lead responsibility at Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle. And that is to develop an entertaining style of play for the club.

And there’s no man more certain of Latapy’s capabilities that Inverness head coach John Hughes who played with the “Little Magician” during his days at Hibernian. Hughes also visited T&T in 2000 with Hibs.

“The boys are quite upbeat and in good spirits,” said Latapy. “They’re quietly confident that they’re going to go out and do their best, so hopefully we can go and get a result.

“It’s difficult to say exactly what I’m going to bring, but my role is assisting in doing whatever I can to make the players better and ensure we get result.”

“When you look at the club and what it has achieved over the years, it’s a privilege for me to be part of what is happening, to have the opportunity to work with John again,” said Latapy. 

“Basically, whatever is needed is what I’ll be prepared to do.

“But everything takes time. First and foremost, we have to get results because football matches are about winning.”

Wolfe wins first cup title in India

Less than a month after joining in Indian Premier League club Churchill Brothers SC, local forward Anthony Wolfe has already enjoyed his first bit of success, helping his club to the Federation Cup.

Wolfe lined up for the defending I-League championship their 3-1 win over Sporting Club de Goa in the Cup final on the weekend.

“I am pretty happy that we won the Federation Cup. We were going into the Federation Cup more as underdogs because we are at the bottom of the table in league. I think it’s a great achievement for the club, players and for the supporters as well,” Wolfe told the Indian press.

“It encourages the supporters to come watch the team when the team play the next home game and stuff but I think it’s more of a motivational step for us in the I-League where we aim to come from the bottom of the table to at least finish fifth-or-sixth at the end of the season. So I think winning this cup was very, very important for us as players. I think we trained hard and responded on the field and no one disrespected each other,” said Wolfe, who said he was influenced by Cornell Glen to move to India. Glen is also having an outstanding season for Indian club Shillong Lajong.

Wolfe mentioned that he has been made to feel at home since joining the club and is enjoying life with his new Indian teammates.

Molino: I must be in the team for Argentina, Iran

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Kevin Molino missed this country’s two closing matches for 2013 against Jamaica due to being inactive at the club level. But having now re-signed with American club Orlando City, Molino is hopes that being on duty with the USL, soon to be MLS club, will remind head coach Stephen Hart of his capabilities.

Molino is particularly eyeing the June 4 and 8 friendlies with Argentina and Iran.

“I want to be back in the squad for sure for those two games. It’s going to be a great experience I will not want to miss out. Hopefully I’m injury free at the time when the squad is being selected and I hope we can go with the best available squad. Those games will be very, very big for our country,” said Molino.

The 23-year-old from Carenage, signed a four-year deal with Orlando a few weeks ago which will see him at the club as they head into the MLS in 2015.

T&T head coach Stephen Hart will continue to monitor the pool of T&T players both at home and abroad. There is no word to date on whether there will be game during the March FIFA window but Hart intends to have the best possible team ready for two friendlies in June.

Shaun Fuentes is the director of communications for the TTFA – shaunfuentes@yahoo.com