By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Burrell
JAMAICA'S FOOTBALL could move closer to the ideal of Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell within 12 months with the erection of a training centre.
The JFF will in a short time receive US$400,000 (J$19.2m) from FIFA which will be used to kick-start the building of the training centre.
Burrell, a constant campaigner for proper football facilities such as a training centre, better quality football fields and a football stadium, revealed on Wednesday that Jamaica would soon benefit from FIFA's Goal Project. Under this initiative by the world's governing body for football, poorer countries are given assistance to upgrade their facilities.
"As I said the other day, Jamaica will benefit shortly from the Goal Project. Like everyone else we are trying to get assistance to build a training centre which I would hope to have in place within the next 12 months," said Burrell.
Questioned why he is more interested in a training centre than a football stadium, Burrell responded that he was interested in both but the money would go a longer way towards the centre than the stadium.
"I think I should point out that the maximum allotment is US$400,000 per national association which is just above J$18m," he said.
"What FIFA has given is just a start and in every single case the Government gives the land plus lends assistance in every possible way. Added to this is always the input of the private sector."
Before any construction could start the hands which will part with the money have to be convinced the money will be properly utilised.
"It should also be stated that this sum will not released from FIFA until the project is identified and proper plans are presented and approved by FIFA officials in Zurich who will visit in the country.
"These people will have to be satisfied before they decide to disburse any money," said Burrell, who is looking to an early start to construction.
Burrell said he hoped to have the centre ready by November but conceded it would probably take longer.
