SSFL ON SONG

MSYA, THA to provide financial support for inter-island travel of school teams

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) General Council is expected to meet on Wednesday to rubber-stamp the return of a 17-school national Boys' Premier Division after the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) intervened to resolve the financial and logistical issues surrounding the transportation of Tobago teams.

SSFL president Merere Gonzales told the Express that, with the financial obstacles which prompted the league's initial decision to adopt a new format now being addressed, it was constitutionally appropriate for the matter to be taken back to the General Council for revision.

"We are ethically and constitutionally compelled to carry the matter back to the General Council which is next Wednesday, and we will revisit the original format of 17 schools," stated Gonzales, who anticipates the match schedule to be tight.

Further, the SSFL boss also extended their thanks to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), which had stepped in to specifically assist Tobago teams with transportation needs.

The SSFL's move to revisit the format follows the Ministry's intervention to assist with the financial and logistical challenges surrounding the transportation of Tobago teams for the 2026 Boys' Premier Division.

The Sport Ministry announced yesterday that it had stepped in following growing concerns over the cost of inter-island travel, which had prompted the SSFL to propose a controversial new competition format separating Trinidad and Tobago schools during the regular season, before the eventual national champions would be decided in a Big Four playoff.

The proposal, approved 9-6 with six abstentions at an Extraordinary General Council meeting on July 22, triggered strong objections from Tobago schools and stakeholders, including the THA, which argued that such an arrangement would place the island's teams at a competitive disadvantage.

News of a resolution was well received by Tobago Football Association (TFA) president Everton Alfred. "If in the end football wins, that is good for us," stated Alfred. "It was nothing personal, it was just that we felt the decision to exclude the Tobago schools was a little unfair and there was a need for further dialogue."

A solution to the issue was found following two meetings this week between Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Phillip Watts and SSFL officials -- the financial obstacle to maintaining a single national competition appearing to having been removed.

Watts, together with Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) chairman Kester Lendor, met with Gonzales, secretary-treasurer Laurence Seepersad and North Zone chairman Joseph Taylor to address the issue and ensure the affected teams could travel to Tobago for their scheduled matches.

The ministry subsequently confirmed that through a collaborative effort involving MSYA, SporTT, and the SSFL, arrangements have been made to facilitate the teams' participation.

"Our young athletes must be given every opportunity to participate, compete and fulfil their potential. School sport plays a critical role in building discipline, teamwork, leadership and national pride, and we were therefore determined to work with the SSFL and the Sport Company to find a solution. We are pleased that the teams will now be able to travel to Tobago and take part in their scheduled matches," Watts said.

The intervention prompted the SSFL to formally thank Watts and the ministry for their assistance. In a letter to Watts, the SSFL executive and membership expressed "sincere thanks and appreciation" for the two meetings held with the MSYA concerning the financial challenges facing the Premiership Division.

"We are particularly grateful for the expedient and proactive manner in which the matter was addressed. Your willingness to engage with the SSFL, listen to our concerns, and facilitate timely consideration of the issues presented is greatly appreciated," the correspondence stated.

The league also acknowledged the financial support pledged by the ministry towards ensuring the Premiership Division is successfully executed.

"This commitment is a significant demonstration of your Ministry's interest in, and support for, the continued development of secondary schools' football, and the opportunities it provides for our nation's young footballers," the SSFL stated.

The proposed revised arrangement would restore the national competition involving all 17 schools, but the General Council will have the final say when it meets on Wednesday.

Kaynak: Trinidad Express Newspapers. Telif hakkı kaynak yayına aittir; buradaki metin özet/atıftır.

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