THE WEALTH OF TALENT OVERSEAS THAT I AM SEEING, PUT THE BEST FROM HOME, OFFERS EXCELLENT POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR FOOTBALL PROGRAMME AND GOAL SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Jamaicans.

Technical Director René Simoes (R) in discussion with his assistants at the recent match between Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica at the National Stadium

“The pessimist complains about the Wind, the optimist waits for the Wind, and the realist adjusts the sails and goes after the wind.” I always think the wind will turn and it will get better and work out. However, there are those times when we need to understand what is happening and go after the wind.

My decision to go to England and the United States has everything to do with the above. I´m going after what is best for Jamaica aiming to do things in a different and better way than was done before. It took me some time to identify that things are different this time around. Perhaps you may be thinking that nothing in life is always the same. I agree, but I needed to be certain. What has changed?

Before our tasks were to come to Jamaica, observe games, select players, train them, internationalize them through games abroad and play the qualifiers. We did that and it worked. It worked so well that many players signed, and continue to sign today, contracts with teams abroad after the 1998 World Cup. Of course there were some overseas based players, but those were a handful at the time.

Although we must continue to do what we did before, after all very good talent is in Jamaica, we cannot close our eyes to the reality of many. Today there are over forty players spread around the world who can represent Jamaica in international games.

I was tired to hearing names of possible selected players and not know who they are or if they have potential to be selected. A national team coach has the obligation to know all possible players and to have the answer to the questions being posed. I need to be well informed and have my own opinion about these players.

My trip so far has given me this possibility. I have observed, talked, asked questions and generally interacted with the athletes who show potential to be in the next selection list. I have also had a chance to better understand their realities and situations.

I left Jamaica with a list of 18 selected and possibly selected players. This list is now at 32, with the names of some players who are in top teams in the Championship League in England. As if that wasn´t enough, the number of players who are in U-17 and U-20 ages is also large. Although I don´t have all of their names yet, I know that some of them are still dreaming about playing for England some day. It is important to have dreams, and everyone knows I am a true believer of them, but those players are now off my list. I don´t want anyone playing for Jamaica because there was no other choice. I want the players who want to do something for the country and who will wear the green, black and gold colors with pride. To those players, I have promised nothing except that the doors are open to them.

After Sunday I am off to the United States to observe the players who compete in the Major League. I want to identify all possible national players as soon as possible and be able to form a base group of true gladiators for our goal!

I am sure that Jamaican football will be the one to receive the greatest benefits of these efforts, which will take us one step closer to our goal – South Africa!

May God bless you all.
Rene Simoes