THE publication of an article in your newspaper (29.05.13) captioned “GFF Super League Action continues Sunday” has left me dumbfounded in relation to the latest points standings.

But before I attempt to assess the harsh, but sad realities pertaining to local club football at the highest level, I must indicate that the GFF Super League is no longer funded by FIFA, which was recently outlined to me but rather out of the local Federation’s coffers. As it is often said “statistics don’t lie”, but are rather a reflection of what has transpired over a given period of time. Well, if so, then the GFF Super League definitely needs restructuring in the sense that each participating team must have a sound nursery programme. Whereby from the under–11;under-13;under–15;under–17;under–19;under–21 and under–23 must have compulsory participation in domestic association competitions. While at the senior domestic level, national players should be debarred from participating, unless they are within the age-limit category!
Reigning national club champions Alpha United, whose 41 points with two matches left to be played have already secured the 2012-13 Super League title,since the second-placed Pele on 30 points cannot overtake Alpha, but can secure the runner-up spot providing they win their final match. B.K Int. Western Tigers currently third with 26 points, can also maintain their position with two victories in its final two matches. This now brings me to an essential point. Is there a dearth of goal scorers or clinical finishers, in 70% of the 10 teams? Or are the goalkeepers that poor? That Alpha United could have scored 70 goals, conceded seven for a goal difference of + 63, which is reflective of six  more goals scored than the combined bottom four placed teams, and seven  less than the additional four top-placed  teams! Mildly put, Alpha have accounted for almost 31% of the goals scored to date, and the other nine teams 69%, reflective of 158 goals scored.
While in the final analysis it has been proven that statistics don’t lie, does the GFF honestly feel that seven teams placed from 4th – 10th with goal differences in the negatives, ranging from -two to- 27 and not        – 25 as was incorrectly stated for Uitvlugt Warriors, can attract mega bucks for sponsorship? By the way, how many of the 10 teams have a proper reserve goalkeeper? And what is the level of certification in the coaching department, moreover assistant coaches?
Also, it must be noted that I have not commented upon physical trainers and physiotherapists, much less nutritionists! All of which are obtained among most of our Caribbean contemporaries. Can local club football transcend to that level? Needless to say, the administration and management of teams may also have a shortfall.
Meanwhile, Alpha United with the relevant finances at its disposal would always be able to attract most of the best players locally. But in the absence of churning out adequate replacements through a sound nursery programme, the sport would always continue to suffer! Since despite its success a significant amount of players in Alpha at the end of the season, don’t get the desired playing time, which can be construed as a waste of talent and future potential! Would this factor be taken into consideration and would loan spells at weaker clubs be examined?