Venue changed for friendly football game with Trinidad
The F.F.B. has taken a decision in respect of the weekend’s game against Trinidad’s Soca Warriors. The decision to change the venue from MCC to the F.F.B. stadium in Belmopan came after the visiting team made a number of objections on Wednesday soon after their arrival. The Gold Cup 2013 forerunner was initially set to be played at the MCC Grounds on Saturday; however, concerns from Soca Warriors about the condition of the existing pitch forced the federation to re-think its position. While the marching band competition is set to take place at the F.F.B. stadium as previously scheduled, the face-off between the Soca Warriors and the Belize National A Team will be held immediately thereafter. That decision was prompted by Trinidad’s refusal to have its professional athletes risk injury while playing on a decrepit, second-rate field. News Five spoke with F.F.B. president Ruperto Vicente about the last-minute choice.
Ruperto Vicente, President, Football Federation of Belize
Ruperto Vicente
“The Trinidad team, having professional players, you know, players who play in London, you know, when they went to the MCC Grounds realized that they would have been at risk playing the game at the MCC Grounds, you know. I had not visited the MCC Grounds since the concert there in November I believe it was but when I walked on the pitch I realized that the MCC Grounds is not fit for any football games, for both international and national games. So our players who are playing at the MCC Grounds they are playing at risk and at high risk. And so I had to agree with the officials and the managers of the team from Trinidad, you know, and we agreed not to play the game there and to bring it to Belmopan at the facilities here, you know, because this would have been a better pitch to play on than the MCC Grounds.”
Isani Cayetano
“I would want to think that you guys are taking care of the logistical aspect of moving all those who would be here to observe Band Fest and having them come back in should they want to attend the game or for those who are coming specifically for the game. How would that be handled?”
Ruperto Vicente
“Well, the Band Fest is scheduled to finish at five p.m. and so we’ll have two hours to play with, you know, to get everything done here before the game at eight o’clock.”
Isani Cayetano
“What about the practice sessions leading up to the game? I know [that] yesterday the guys from Trinidad were on the field at MCC [Grounds] doing their routines and what have you. Since the venue has now changed to the FFB Stadium here in Belmopan do they also practice here prior to then or is that the end of practicing until Saturday?”
Ruperto Vicente
“No, they are going to be here today at four o’clock to practice and as well tomorrow they are going to be here to do another practice. So we are making everything available to them, you know, and making them comfortable before the game on Saturday. So we are looking forward to a great game on Saturday.”
Saturday night’s match will be carried live on Channel Five beginning with pre-game coverage at seven o’clock.
WHY IS FFB LETTING BANDFEST ONTO FFB FIELD IN THE FIRST PLACE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FOOTBALL FIELD. WE NEED TO USE OUR LIMITED FOOTBALL FACILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR. WE HAVE THE WORST FOOTBALL FACILITIES IN CENTERAL AMERICA AND MAYBE THE CARRIBEAN… THIS HAS TO CHANGE IF WE WANT TO BE RESPECTED AS A FOOTBALL COUNTRY. AS A FIERCLY SUPPORTIVE FOOTBALL FAN, I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN HOW THIS IS PLAYING OUT.
NOW I’LL GET OFF MY SOAP BOX AND GO ON WITH MY DAY.
THANK YOU
First, many thanks to the Trinidad players for bending over backwards to play the game. I only hope that the Bandfest doesn’t make the field unplayable; that’s a possibility.
Second, Ruperto should have looked at MCC before making the Trinidad team fly here to play on a damaged field. He was asleep at the wheel, and the footballers deserve a more attentive leader. Hopefully Ruperto can improve himself.
Third, sports programs are a positive influence on young people, and a source of pride for us all. Our putative “sports minister” should define a program to create and MAINTAIN international class sports facilities. I strongly believe sports programs should be under a private, independent organization like they are in countries with stronger programs. They should primarily be supported by private donations and commercial revenue, such as from television broadcasting. It’s an ugly thing that the sports minister contracts with himself to repair sports facilities.
Fourth, it’s a little embarrassing that the game had to be moved to the Jewel at all — it was scheduled to be played in Trinidad, but our team had too little support to pay the airfare to get to the match. I think Ruperto might have been too busy doing something else when he should have been raising money and enlisting sponsors.
I pray no players get hurt playing on the field after the bandfest. It surely will be somewhat worse for the wear then.