We have a long way to go - Wint laments state of local youth programme

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dalton Wint acknowledged that Jamaica’s youth programme has a long way to go to compete with the world’s best in the wake of the National Under 22’s 9-0 shellacking at the hands of Japan last month in the Kirin Challenge Cup.

Wint says that the magnitude of the defeat is a reflection of the gulf in talent compared to other countries, stating that the country is far behind in terms of investing in the development of young talent across all platforms.

“It’s a learning process, it’s a teachable moment for all (who) were involved including the players (of) where we are,” he told The Gleaner. “The truth is that these countries are far ahead of us. The sort of investment they are making into their youth programme, we are not even putting in 10 per cent because of our (in)ability to do so. We are not doing the sort of investing that we should.”

The roster selected for the Kirin Challenge Cup matches featured a majority of players from the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) with only four overseas-based players compared to the Japanese roster, which featured majority players playing professionally in the J League and across Europe. Although the young Reggae Boyz held several training camps throughout last month, Wint says that team was simply ill-equipped to deal with the challenge that their Japanese counterparts presented.

‘Not prepared’

“We weren’t adequately prepared. The truth of the matter is that we played a team against a team that has been in preparation for over two years. We got together for about four, five weeks. The fact is that we cannot afford to have our youngsters constantly being engaged in practice games or into camp,” he said.

Wint acknowledges that the federation must play its part in youth development but he has also challenged the clubs in the nation’s top flight to step up their youth programmes.

“Our players, for the most part, are playing in our Premier League, which is not where we want it to be. We have a lot of work to (do). It’s not up to the JFF alone. But the truth (is) that development must be in the clubs and the national exposure is by the federation. But we can steer them,” he said “We can guide them. But the fact that the clubs need to do a lot more. I know they are trying, but investment is lacking. We have to find a way.”

Wint says that there have been talks ongoing with the clubs in this vein but he is also cognisant of the financial realities which he believes is a hindrance.

“We have been speaking to them and we will be continuing the dialogue with them. They do understand but as I said, it’s the environment that we are in. It’s difficult,” he said. “The spending power of these clubs are getting weaker and weaker and we have to find a way to encourage corporate Jamaica to invest in these programmes because it all comes down to benefits of not only the youths at the clubs but the country.”