Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Now, more than ever
On Target
March 31, 2023

Now, more than ever

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Senior Men’s Football team’s campaign in the Concacaf Nations League, is over.

But most significantly, the team which represents the cream of our senior Football stock, finished dead last in the four team Group C of League B.

The Vincentian outfit failed to register a win in their six matches, losing to the Bahamas 0-1; Trinidad and Tobago 0-2 and 1-4; and Nicaragua 1-4.

They were able to eke out a 2-2 draw versus eventual group winners Nicaragua, as well as a 1-1 draw with the Bahamas.

The latter result was realised last Monday, March 27, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

It was indeed a bitter showing by the team and more so, against opponents.

Certainly, the performance did not mirror the pedigree of the players when pooled. Neither was the investment spent on the cadre of overseas based ones, who were brought home.

Expectations were high that at least St Vincent and the Grenadines could have finished the CNL winning in front and appeasing the Vincentian crowd.

Instead, it was ninety minutes plus of individualism and nothing more to show, much to the chagrin of those at the arena and the others who viewed via television or live streaming.

In short, the team did not show to the Vincentian public that level of competence, normally associated with a Senior National Team.

This is not to say that Monday’s match, nor the sojourn in the Concacaf Nations League( CNL) should define our Football, but it says volumes of where we stand at present.

In saying so, the 2022/2023 performance in the CNL was a far cry from St Vincent and the Grenadines’ efforts in the inaugural Nations League in 2019 especially, when a second place behind Suriname was the country’s showing.

Things though have taken a turn for the worse, while St Vincent and the Grenadines would visibly have regressed, the other countries have taken the necessary corrective measures, hence, the latter are reaping the fruits of the inputs and astute administrative decisions.

This column is cognizant that there are other factors which are responsible for the others making strides.

As it is, they have invested heavily financially in their various programmes, especially their youth segment.

The same has to be the case with our Football authorities here, as they have to begin to think long term and simultaneously address the debilitating issues in the short term.

Likewise, applying any band aid will not cure the sores and lacerations; rather the ingestion of some laxatives will help, along with a dose of building up tonic.

Hence, Director of Technical Matters of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, Theon Gordon and his team have to off load many of the players who have served us well over the years.

It may be the appropriate time to give them their thank you letter as well as a card and bid them farewell to national selection and representation.

Higher up, the executive of the SVGFF has to be like minded and have a clear-cut pathway as to where they want the sport to go.

They have to agree that the sport needs a financial injection to help in the process of advancing from our current state.

Admittedly, getting to where we can attain our optimum will not be a walk in the park, but a requires a great amount of hard work and commitment by all stakeholders.

This, as there are some cultural practices that are so embedded in our footballers and football loving public that are hurdles to be mounted.

More so, nationally, our general culture has to take a different turn for us to make progress in Football, and any other sporting discipline for that matter.

These are the biggest impediments for us and will be a struggle until the mental psyche of Vincentians is changed towards life and living in general.

Despite the challenges, the present Football policy makers cannot give in but must continue to plug away, be better, and add value to the sport.

Time is running out for our administrators to act decisively, as within the next five months or so, our Senior Men’s Team will be in action again, as the next edition of the CNL will be in their faces.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok