Griffith III named in TT U-17 team

GARY GRIFFITH III, son of Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, was named in a 20-member TT Under-17 football squad for the Concacaf Under-17 Men’s Championship, which will get going from Wednesday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, United States.

The team, under the guidance of coach Stern John and his deputy Kenwyne Jones, will begin their Group E campaign on Wednesday against Bermuda, followed by fixtures against Jamaica on Friday and Mexico on May 5. The top three teams will advance to the knockout stage.

Griffith III is a student of Trinity Moka and a member of North East Stars’ youth team.

The TT team was announced during a media conference, ahead of a training session, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella on Friday afternoon.

The TT Football Association (TTFA) has been facing financial challenges for a number of years and the technical staff for the Under-17 outfit have agreed to work for free.

“It was difficult,” John admitted. “We know the situation with the (TTFA) but we were able to use my resources and a couple of the staff’s resources to get nutrition and food for the team.

“We want to say special thanks to Gary Griffith,” John continued. “He came forward and he really helped the team, in terms of nutrition, getting food for us on time, (and) also transportation for the boys after training because most of our sessions were held at the Manny Ramjohn (Stadium) and the traffic was really bad (on) afternoons.

“He played a very important role in getting the boys on a bus from Port of Spain to the Stadium on time (for) training, and back to their respective homes.”

Looking ahead to the tournament, John, the ex-national striker, said, “I am very excited. The guys took the training very well. We had to get in everything in a very short space of time. The guys took it all on board and (are) relishing the opportunity.

“We want to go there and try to qualify for the second round (at least). I think our main goal is to win our first game which is important. I think once we do that then we have a very good chance of qualifying for the knockout phase,” John added.

The 2019 Concacaf Under-17 Championship will run from Wednesday until May 16, and the top four teams will qualify for the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.

Team (clubs and schools in brackets) –

GOALKEEPERS: Isaiah Williams (W Connection/Presentation San Fernando); Kahlil Oliver (San Juan Jabloteh/Trinity East).

DEFENDERS: Nigel Carraby (W Connection/Presentation San Fernando); Luke Savery (W Connection/St Mary’s College); Jordon Britto (San Juan Jabloteh/San Juan North); Cephas St Rose (W Connection/CTS College Chaguanas); Isa Sayeed (Indy Premier Soccer/Hamilton Southeastern High School, Indiana, USA).

MIDFIELDERS: Zachary Welch (North East Stars/Fatima); Jaiye Sheppard (unattached/Presentation San Fernando); Tyrese Pierre (WSV Apeldoorn/Rivers International School, Netherlands); Andrew De Gannes (North East Stars/Fatima); Curtis De Leon (North Carolina FC/Leesville Road High School, North Carolina, USA); Gary Griffith III (North East Stars/Trinity Moka); Jeremy Lashley (Internazionale of Edmonton/Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School, Canada); Kielon Burnette-Acevaro (W Connection/Carapichaima East); Kevan Kahoussi (NC Fusion/Crossroads Flex High School, North Carolina, USA); Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United/McEachern High School, Georgia, USA).

STRIKERS: Justin Araujo-Wilson (San Juan Jabloteh/Virtual High School, Ontario, Canada); Jean-Heim McFee (Club Sando/Fatima); Jerrell Nixon (Concorde Fire Club/Campbell High School, Georgia, USA).