Minister of State with responsibility for Sports Winston Williams has reacted to the recent success of the national football team against Haiti in the game which would determine which Group F team would advance to the next round.
“This win for the National Football Team marks yet another historic moment in sports for Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
Senator Williams was present among thousands of football fans and supporters at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium to cheer on the team and congratulate them on achieving their goal. In the midst of the excitement however, the minister was quick to add that this achievement was not accidental, but the result of years of planning and hard work by the national football association and hundreds of hours of rigourous training and countless competitions by a talented, committed and hard working team of players.
He congratulated the executive and members of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), who have worked hard over the years to make football the number one spectator sport in the nation. Special mention was also made of the vision and strategic approach to planning by the president and general secretary of the ABFA.
According to Senator Williams, the ABFA technical training unit, including the technical director, Tom Curtis, football coaches, officials, and support staff should continue to develop what they had referred to earlier in the year as the “Antiguan and Barbudan Football Playing Philosophy” to ensure that talented players are identified early and nurtured into world-class footballers. The minister said that other associations should also recognise that without a clearly defined pathway for players, from the youth to the national level, a sustainable system for winning gold will not be easily achieved.
Minister Williams also acknowledged that as the national football team continues on its journey towards the World Cup, the cost of participation will increase significantly. He said, “While it is hoped that there will be rewards associated with the increased exposure, these are not expected to meet the immediate financial needs of the association and team, so it is my intention to approach the Ministry of Finance to explore any opportunities which are available to provide assistance to the ABFA once this is required.”
He added, “The entire nation of Antigua & Barbuda has been inspired by this win, and the entire nation, including the private and public sectors, must also rise to the occasion to provide whatever financial support is required to move the team to the next level. The main focus now for the national football team should be on playing at their best and working for the ultimate goal, that of winning.”
As for the support on the night of the game, Senator Williams stated that in his experience, it was the largest crowd he had ever seen at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. He showered praise on all Antiguans and Barbudans who were present, and also commended Minister of Tourism John Maginley and the board of management of the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium for facilitating the FIFA Game.
The Antigua and Barbuda Royal Police Force and Fire Service, the Emergency Medical Services, and private security firms did not miss out on appreciative comments from the senator either.
The enterprising efforts of George Hourani/Cool and Smooth, in providing national team uniform replicas for fans, was highlighted by the minister for bringing an added sense of pride and unity with the team. He added that the collective contribution of all underscored the fact that sporting events require the input of all stakeholders for successful implementation.
Senator Williams expressed the hope that as the government continues to work with national sports associations and other key stakeholders to make Antigua & Barbuda the sporting Mecca of the OECS, and that the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium and other sporting venues and facilities will be teaming with fans and supporters as a range of top tier sports and recreational events are scheduled throughout the year.
“It is our hope in the Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for sports that we will soon achieve the goal of making sports and recreation, a viable economic sector,” Williams said. “After seven years of serving as the Minister of State with responsibility for Sports, I am beginning to see some of our greatest days as we move towards becoming a stronger sporting nation.”
Team Antigua and Barbuda is scheduled to play the return leg of the qualifiers today (November 15) in Haiti.
