Ken -I says Yes

Veteran midfielder Kendall “Ken-I” Velox has answered in the affirmative the national call for a return to pull the strings in the middle of the park for Vincy Heat – a job he did for seventeen years before he announced his retirement last year.{{more}}

A plea by new Technical Director Stewart John Hall last month prompted his consideration to come out of retirement.

Velox communicated his decision to SEARCHLIGHT last Sunday afternoon.

Speaking via telephone from his Trinidad and Tobago base, where he plies his trade as professional footballer with Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA, an upbeat Velox stated that he was eagerly looking forward to make another contribution.

Velox, 36, revealed that Caledonia’s Head Coach Jamaal Shabbaz was instrumental in encouraging him to respond positively.

Last month, in this publication, Velox indicated that he was “undecided”.

The pint sized Velox said he was “honoured and humbled” to be asked to give a last hurrah.

Also a veteran of the pro league in his adopted homeland, Velox is expected to join the planned training camp which is set for the end of May. But his immediate focus is seeing his team lift the Pro Bowl title against Defence Force, this Friday, May 23.

Once he takes to the field in the first leg against Canada here June 15, it will be Velox’s fifth straight sojourn in the World Cup qualifiers. Velox, who started national representation in 1990, while still a student at the Bethel High School, was part of the squad when St. Vincent and the Grenadines debutted at the world ‘s premier football competition in 1992.

Velox, a deft playmaker, is in the middle of his pro season with Caledonia.

But he does not see his current role as a striker with Caledonia affecting him reverting to his conventional role in the midfield.

“I don’t see a problem with that, because I have done it before”, Velox admitted.

Apart from Velox, Hall has summoned other overseas professionals to bolster the team’s chances against Canada.

Shandell Samuel, who also plays in Trinidad and Tobago for CLICO San Juan Jablotech is also part of the overseas based contingent.

Others expected are Malaysian based Marlon James and Cornelius Huggins, as well as Wesley John, who is based in Portugal, and Wesley Charles, who plays in Northern Ireland.

Vincy Heat should be at full strength when they face Jamaica in a friendly international in Jamaica, June 3. (RT)