Adrian Frater, News Editor

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Crenston Boxhill (right) sits next to coach Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic during Sunday's Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Jarrett Park, St. James. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

Players involved in the 2006-07 Wray & Nephew National Premier League (NPL) competition will not have to rely on anyone recommending them to Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, the national technical director designate, as he plans to visit NPL games to see the local lads in action.

"I will be going to see as many games as I can," said 'Bora' after watching Sunday's game between Wadadah and Portmore United at Jarrett Park. "I want to see as many players as I can in the shortest time possible."

While not outlining his plans for the national programme, the Serbian-born coach, who has the enviable distinction of taking five separate teams to the World Cup, was clearly on the job on Sunday as he was seen scribbling down the numbers of a few players as Portmore upstaged the Montego Bay team 3-1.

"The game was not bad, I saw some good players, not many, a few," said Milutinovic, who was in the company of Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Crenston Boxhill. ‘I hope to see much more of some of these players.’

Coach Milutinovic, who conceded to enjoying what was his first game locally, also noted that he liked the passion he saw in the players but was reluctant to indicate whether or not he was impressed by any particular player.

‘It would be unfair to single out any particular player,’ said Milutinovic, as he watched my eyes glancing down to the paper in his hands with various numbers scribbled on it. ‘There will be lots of time to properly assess the players before naming names.’

Coach Milutinovic also refused to be drawn into a discussion bout the quality of the playing surface at Jarrett Park, which almost created a moment of embarrassment for Portmore’s goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers when a seemingly harmless ball struck a ridge and flew into his face.

‘I think the surface is not bad,’ the Serbian said, glancing down at the surface which was still bathed in floodlights. ‘I saw no problems for the players.’

WATCH MORE GAMES

A confident and relaxed looking president Boxhill confirmed that there is a plan to take Milutinovic around the island to watch more NPL games with a view of exposing him to as much local talent as possible.

‘Our plan is to take coach around the island to see the various teams and to familiarise him with local conditions,’ said Boxhill. ‘This will give him a chance to meet the various teams and the players.’