SVGFF pursuing second generation eligibility

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) wants the relevant government apparatus to work in its favour to allow for second generation footballers to be eligible for national representation.

That desire was disclosed by the SVGFF president, Carl Dickson during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, March 23.

Seeking to have the best team on show on every competitive football fixture for St Vincent and the Grenadines, revealed that the process has started.

“I would have penned a letter to the Minister of National Security( Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves), requesting the discussion concerning eligibility for national teams across the board”, Dickson confirmed making reference to what obtains in other countries in the region.

“Currently, most Caribbean islands have the opportunity to field players with grandparents who would have come from the Caribbean islands (but) our law only caters for first generation …It is very important for us because it will also widen the field of available players for the senior national team”, Dickson said.

Acknowledging that the process would require a “ change of law”, Dickson however believes that due consideration will be given to the matter.

The issue of players’ eligibility to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines has heightened within the last two months, as the SVGFF has entered into an agreement with the International Football Heritage Agency (IFHA).

Embedded in the agreement is for the IFHA to identify male and female international players of Vincentian descent, who are eligible to represent that various SVG teams.

Several players have so far been identified and have met the current eligibility requirements.

However, some prospective players had to be put on hold because they are second generation players.