GAYNOR

WESTERN BUREAU:

JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) vice-president Bruce Gaynor, who spearheaded the organising of the western leg of the Digicel Caribbean Cup football championships, has expressed extreme satisfaction with the way things went.

"I believe we passed the test with flying colours as there were absolutely no hitches in terms of us doing what we had to do," said Gaynor, who is also general secretary of the St James Football Association. "If there is one area in which we probably could have done better it would have to be in the area of advertising," he said.

After announcing that western Jamaica would be given the opportunity to host preliminary games in the Digicel Cup, JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell intimated giving feature games to the west would be dependent on the level of support the tournament attracted.

"If the fans in the west don't come out and support the games, it would make no sense staging games in the west," Captain Burrell stated at the time.

Call for consistency

Teofore Bennett

While noting that taking international games to western Jamaica was a good idea, Craig Oates, vice-chairman of the JFF's western confederation, said it needs to be done on a consistent basis.

"It is a good idea and I am sure all football lovers in the region would agree with me," said Oates. "It is a pity it came at a time when our football is not doing so well in terms of our failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup," he said.

Everton Tomlinson, president of the Westmoreland Football Association, was thrilled that western Jamaica had been selected to host international games and hopes this venture will signal the beginning of a new era in the west staging major tournaments.

"It was an excellent idea and the JFF should be congratulated and encouraged to have more games outside of Kingston," said Tomlinson. "What happened was very good for the image of western Jamaica's football and I endorse it 100 per cent," he said.

However, for future tournaments, Tomlinson is hoping more extensive advertising will be done to sensitise the public and attract greater support.

TOMLINSON

Former national player Teofore Bennett, who now plies his football in Africa, was pleasantly surprised to see international football back in the west and believes it is a great way to inspire young footballers in the region.

"It is a wonderful way to inspire the youngsters because you are providing them with an opportunity to see some of the idols in person," said Bennett, who was at the Trelawny Stadium for the game between Jamaica and Trinidad. "We need to have games like these as often as possible," he said.