Nakhid wants six-month SSFL season

THE Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has been a major development tool for young footballers, but parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs David Nakhid said playing over a three-month period is insufficient to allow the next generation to fulfil their potential.

Nakhid, a former national football captain, reiterated his views on TV6’s programme Morning Edition on November 5.

The former St Mary’s College student said, “We remain stagnant (in TT). You can’t. When you look at all the other countries, when they hit the wall, so to speak, they have gone on to explore new ideas, new possibilities.” Nakhid gave the example of Germany and Belgium in the 1990s, which changed their football system, which includes technology.

“Our colleges league (SSFL) is basically the same (for decades) and thank God we have a president of the colleges league (Merere Gonzales) who is open to the idea that I proposed, which is extending the colleges league from three months. You cannot have a colleges league for three months when we have so much interest in the colleges league – parents are involved, students are involved, stakeholders are involved. For three months, it makes no sense. We are looking at expanding that league to six months.”

Students who play in the SSFL can earn scholarships, especially to attend US universities. Nakhid is hoping to have a system in place where more youth footballers can get recognition by foreign scouts.

Gonzales has had discussions with Nakhid and is open to the suggestions being made by the former TT footballer.

Nakhid also spoke about the value of getting a football scholarship, as it will allow students to further their education.