Tim Kee buoyed by Fifa, Concacaf support

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee is backing Concacaf president Jeffrey Webb to transform the regional confederation into a more dynamic and successful organization in the months ahead.

This was Tim Kee’s reaction to discussions held with Webb on local and regional football, during a visit Port-of-Spain, recently. Tim Kee said that while there has been some type of organizational analysis of the TTFA since he has been President, he intends to see the process continued particularly through the work of the Independent Football Reform Commission. 

He intends to have a closer look at the impact of the TTFA interaction with other organizations and stakeholders.

Days before his visit to Port-of-Spain, on behalf of Concacaf, Webb signed a memorandum of understanding with UEFA to mutually develop the game in the confederation.

The agreement is similar in nature to that signed between Concacaf and the Confederation of African Football in April 2013. Webb and UEFA President Michel Platini signed the agreement which will provide Concacaf with technical assistance and support while building a strong connection with sporting, social, cultural and educational benefits. 

“I can say without a doubt that the Concacaf president is on the right path to ensuring that Concacaf remains a strong organization within world football and that it continues to expand and experience growth that will be commendable and one that will allow it to stand firmly among the rest,” Tim Kee said.

Among some the areas of discussion held between Webb and the Tim Kee included the establishment of systems and operations, which will aid in the TTFA becoming a more viable organisation through partnerships with stakeholders and corporate T&T as well as the government of T&T. 

Webb maintained that T&T is among the top ranked countries in the region when it comes to the product and the resources and infrastructure for development of the game, as well as hosting of different football-related events.

“Our discussions were all geared towards the development of the game in T&T and ways in which both Concacaf and TTFA can work together to promote and enhance the sport. 

“Webb has our country’s interest at heart and he said to me that while he is aware of the challenges facing T&T, he’s committed towards working with us to solve the issues and to help us gain momentum as we try to move forward,” added Tim Kee, who said that Webb was also pleased with the support afforded to the TTFA by the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Tourism as well as the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT).

Fifa development officer Howard McIntosh continues to work with the TTFA. 

Recently, Fifa women’s football consultant Andrea Rodebaugh visited T&T for two days of meetings aimed at improving local women’s football. Concacaf will also stage a grass roots development event in T&T in May. 

Also, recently Fifa announced that T&T would be among those benefiting from nine projects approved within the Fifa Income Generation Programme, a special initiative launched by the Fifa executive committee in 2011 with the objective of fostering revenue creation in member associations with high football development potential.

Both Tim Kee and general secretary Sheldon Phillips will attend the Fifa congress in Sao Paolo in early June, prior to the start of the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals.

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