FFB and this GOLD CUP FEVER!!!

Thurs. June 27, 2013

Hi, Mr. Sports Writer,

I must say, 100% Belizean I am … patriotic; come to Chicago and see my house! But I must say that the country has been led or is getting led along way too familiar a path, where the FFB is concerned. Jah knows we out here were more than happy to know that Bertie and his crew have “left the building.” But we here are thinking that, yes, … our boys have made us proud, … yes, we will be flying cross country to go to the games, … but darn!!! What’s up with this, “THE FFB NEEDS $500,000.00,” or else they will not be able to make it over here!!? Are these guys for real?

Sir, I challenge you to call CONCACAF office in Cayman, and inquire what’s the take home for the tournament. My brother, you will be taken aback to realize that this new FFB might have inherited some of Bertie’s syndrome (one fih me … none fih you!). I challenge you to do the research. CONCACAF, which is the organizing giant of this tournament, will be paying for 32 members of each of 12 teams’ member associations to travel, attend and house them at this tournament. Secondly, my brother, do you know what’s the cash prize for such a tournament? The last take home was in the echelon of a little over 12 million (US) for the first place team, while the last place team can take home a little over 1.2 million (US). So now, you tell me, why the HECK DO THEY NEED $500,000?

Taking a deeper look into this issue, what’s the annual budget of the FFB? What all tournaments/competitions are remaining for the rest of the year?

Let me ask you this, what will be done for the male and female youth tournaments for the rest of this year? Will the new FFB go back begging? How will they manage for the upcoming Central American youth 16, or I think youth 17, tournament that Belize should host? I question again, why the $500,000?

Like Bertie, the FFB elected members try to either play the players for fools or threaten them with, “if we don’t go, we will be sanctioned.” The nation is behind the team, but have they really begun to question what’s what?

I support the team 100%, but recent knowledge of the tournament status has led me to wipe my eyes and burp the victory of getting Bertie out, and start to focus on this new FFB.

My brother, there are so many things we hear out here with regards to the day to day operations of the FFB; but I urge you, please get the facts, get answers. Things do not look right, but the vibes is that “it wasn’t right from the beginning of selecting a team.” I have been made to understand that none of the award-receiving players of the recently completed semi-pro tournament are on the national team. Is that so? So then, why give out those awards? To compound the issue, reports are that one elected member of the top league and even the general secretary of the top league are active within key policy making capacities of the FFB National Team selection!!!!

How can top level owners sit and watch this MADNESS!!!!

Don’t get me wrong. I do support this new FFB; however, it doesn’t seem like they are systematic in trying to provide sustainable football. What’s the top league’s standpoint?

To the new FFB I’ll say: “You can fool some people sometime, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”
Power to the people,
I. Smith

(Ed. NOTE: At this time, with the Gold Cup so near, we had to seek a response from FFB President, Ruperto Vicente, before printing the above letter. Vicente had already revealed in previous press conferences that while abroad all travelling, food and hotel accommodation expenses for the national team will be met by CONCACAF. The three months of preparation before leaving Belize is another matter. Below is Vicente’s response to “Belizean Footballer.”)

Please take this information into consideration:

1. Yes, we need $500,000.00 for this team to participate in the Gold Cup.

(a) This is to prepare players.

(b) It includes players’ payments and transportation fee

(c) Players’ meals are included

(d) It entails playing friendly matches, which is “not cheap”, and payment to players every time we play friendly games, because our players do not play for free. I am glad you declared that you are 100% Belizean, which is not true to many of us.

(e) It also includes payment to coaches and other staff for our National Team. This is a very costly venture. It requires more than $500,000.00 BZ.

2. The prize money is not 1.2 million US. Thet first place team will be awarded US$1million. The last three (3) places will receive US$100 thousand.

3. I am not trying to trick the Belizean people. That’s not the way I do things, and this new FFB Executive will not deceive the Belizean people, who continue to support this National Team.

4. The U-16 Central American Tournament is financed by UNCAF and not the FFB. So, no need to worry about financing for the U-16.

Ruperto Vicente