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Stabroek News

Diplomacy went through the window
published: Thursday | April 5, 2007

WHEN VIN Blaine resigned as head coach of the national female team citing that he was disrespected and undermined by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), it came across to me as petty with not enough reasons to call it a day.

Blaine's explanation was that he was summoned to a meeting to give his report on the female football team and during that meeting he was told by president Crenston Boxhill that they would be hiring more coaches as the programme had been expanded.

Blaine said they went behind his back with that decision. Boxhill said they only asked the committee to recommend coaches as the female programme would move from two to four national teams to fall in line with the Caribbean Football Union.

Blaine even went further and accused the JFF of not being able to pay him, much less pay four other coaches. Blaine, whose name is synonymous with women's football in Jamaica, felt slighted by the JFF and that was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Though upset by the JFF, Blaine singled out one person for trying for years to get him out of the programme - Elaine Walker-Brown - the chairperson of the women's football programme. Blaine said every meeting they had, she was trying in someway to oust him and this had been going on for years.

Last November, Blaine was praised after the Under-19s just failed to qualify for the World Cup after placing fourth, of which the top three qualified.

We lost, as expected to world powers Canada, the United States and Mexico. Of the three, we realistically had a chance against Mexico. That never materialised, so we remained the fourth-best team in the region.

But little did we know that Blaine was the one responsible for the Under-19s not qualifying for the World Cup.

Blaine's no team player

Well, that's the thought of Walker-Brown while speaking on Hitz Fm on Tuesday evening, after having her tongue pulled by the moderators. She threw diplomacy out the window and categorically stated that Blainewas not good for the programme and wasn't a team player and if it wasn't for Blaine, the team could have qualified.

It was interesting to hear her change from standard English to patios when she got into the meat of the matter and was revealing her true thoughts.

After listening to both parties, Blaine said Walker-Brown constantly tried to oust him, which she denied, it seems Blaine might have a case.

It would be hard to fathom how she could work all these years with someone not good for the programme and not try to get him out. She said she didn't, so we'll have to live with that.

Both Blaine and Walker-Brown did reveal a lot of internal squabbling that went on behind the scenes while here and overseas, and it all came down to a lack of communication.

Knowing Blaine, he only wants what is good for the programme and the JFF should try and persuade him to change his mind. I think he has done a lot for the programme and should continue.

This is my house and you can send your comments to howard. walker@gleanerjm.com.

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