‘We are not giving up on the Girlz’
JFF, Reggae Girlz in race to tie down friendlies ahead of World Cup
Published:Thursday | March 23, 2023 | 1:17 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
GENERAL SECRETARY of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Dennis Chung said it would be painfully disappointing if the Reggae Girlz, in preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia from July to August, do not get a practice match in April’s international window.
However, Chung insists that all is not lost and that the federation is working to make something materialise for the period.
Coach Lorne Donaldson has said that missing the window would severely upset preparations as it would likely mark the last opportunity to finalise and fine-tune the squad ahead of the World Cup, which starts on July 20. The next window runs from July 10-18.
Chung, though, insists that the JFF is working internally to ensure that missing the window doesn’t become an eventuality.
“We are making every effort to get something done. So of course, we are trying to work on it because the girls are very important to us.
“We would love for something to happen, and we have some people that we are working with to get it done,” said Chung.
He admitted that not having a game for the team would be devastating to the coaching staff’s plans but said there were other factors to consider as football administration involves more than just what takes place on the field.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
He noted that there were financial constraints that have limited the JFF’s options and that it was important for local football’s governing body to continue practising financial prudence.
“It would be disappointing, and that is why we are working on it. We are not going to say that it is not going to happen. We will not take that negative approach.
“There are challenges that come up because we are not a federation that is awashed with cash. The U17s just finished (a tournament), and we have the under-20 girls coming up and the senior men’s team.
“So there are a lot of moving parts. We would love to do everything, and we are trying as much as we can.
“But our fiscal responsibility is important for the sustainability of the federation. We cannot manage how we have done in the past, match to match or tournament to tournament. We have to think about the long-term sustainability, or there can be implications,” he explained.
Nevertheless, he said the organisation is persisting with the hope of getting a game for the Girlz.
“Everybody would lose out. So the JFF is not sitting back and saying ‘we do not want to do this’. We definitely want to do it, but there are constraints.
“There are risks to consider, but it is something that we are working on, and we are talking to some people to see if we can get the assistance. So we are not giving up on the Girlz.”