At a time when sponsorship from the private sector and government funding seems difficult to secure, the T&T Football Association has stepped in with TT$800,000 to stabilise two of its major competitions—the country’s professional League and its second tier competition.
T&TFA president David John-Williams said yesterday the funds will be used in the administration of the leagues.
“We are giving US$100,000 to the Pro League and US$25,000 to the T&T Super League in an effort to bolster their administrative efforts.”
He noted, “The T&T Pro League has been the biggest provider of talent to the senior national teams for over the last 15 years. The employment opportunities provided in the Pro League is football’s contribution to the economy of the country. And the Super League has provided opportunities for players who cannot be full-time and still want to play at a decent level.”
The local football boss, who has had a team in the top flight pro league for many years, also explained that the injection of funds into the leagues, comes from a special projects FIFA grant accessed by the association for that purpose.
The funding, which got the approval of the entire T&TFA’s board, comes on the heels of an effort by John-Williams to get the different arms of football under one roof at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva.
“Now that our football has a home, we must now look at the economic and administrative stability of our stakeholders,” John-Williams said.
He added that, “World football generates huge incomes, but in the past the stakeholders in local football never benefitted as they ought to have. So the country has stadia but never a ‘home for football’ before our administration came into office. We are indeed thankful to the Government of T&T for its support in this regard. Both the Ministry of Sport and the Sport Company have really stepped up to ensure that football progress in a meaningful way.
“For us to progress, every arm of football must become professional in its operations and we at the TTFA are committed to driving this process,” President John-Williams concluded.
The T&TFA headquarters moved to its new home on Thursday last, with the TT Pro League, TT Super League, Secondary Schools Football League and the Women’s League Football all currently operating at the same venue.