Street football pitch switch?

Have Team Crew, the inaugural winners of the Guinness Regional Street Football Challenge competition, and by extension, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), given up the promised street football pitch in favour of another prize?{{more}}

A street football pitch built in their community, US$4,000 and a trophy were the major rewards when Team Crew copped the title last year in Guyana.

However, reports are that members of Team Crew have opted, in principle, during discussions with Guinness officials, to attend a coaching course in Jamaica instead.

The Guinness officials were in SVG last week for the staging of the 2013 finals.

A source close to Team Crew told SEARCHLIGHT that they are favourably considering the alternative prize, since not much progress has been made in finding a piece of land on which to place the pitch.

Before obtaining the pitch, which was valued at US$25,000, Team Crew had, first of all, to get the land from central government.

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil Mc Kie had offered a spot at Diamond, the proposed site of the National Stadium project. However, Team Crew had countered that, and had suggested a piece of land at Bottom Roseau in Sion Hill.

The Sion Hill Village hard court facility was also proposed as an alternative venue.

With indications that Team Crew will accept the offer, the stalemate and nonchalance have been eased.

If accepted, the players of Team Crew, along with their manager or coach, will attend the Advanced Level One coaching course, recognized by CONCACAF and FIFA.

The course, which is held in conjunction with the Jamaican Football Federation, will cover all aspects of football coaching, from drills and skills to nutrition and sports psychology.

This prize was on offer for the 2013 winners from Trinidad and Tobago – The Hills Have Eyes. (RT)