‘Skill’ Cole wants more programmes for development of local football
NATIONAL FOOTBALL icon Allan ‘Skill’ Cole says he believes Jamaica has lots of talent in football and just needs proper programmes for development.
“There is so much talent it is unbelievable. But it’s how we nurture this talent,” Cole said at the Constant Spring football field on Sunday after he, and fellow local legend Walter Boyd, were honoured with trophies named after them at the inaugural All Star Football Tournament.
“Today (Sunday) I came and saw these talent it’s pleasing but heart-rending because there’s no transition. Hopefully, I can do a little more before I leave the earth,” he added.
Cole said he felt honoured that generations later people still recognise his contribution to Jamaica’s football. The prep/ primary schools All Stars Trophy, was named after him and he presented the trophy to the winning All Prep team after a 1-0 win over the All Primary team’
“It is always an honour to be honoured. So we give thanks that people still recognise what we did. But what we did was hard work, everything comes with hard work, and the level I reached came with discipline. In the 1960s and 1970s I was a torch bearer for Jamaica’s football and this generation comes and understands certain things. It (trophy) will be part of my legacy,” he commented.
Meanwhile, Boyd who had the under-14 North schools and the under-14 South schools trophy named after him, was absent but organiser Leighton Davis emphasised the importance of young players knowing their football roots.
“Going forward it will be the Allan Cole Prep/Primary All Stars Trophy, and the Walter Boyd U14 All Stars trophy.
“Walter told us it was short notice for him and he had a prior engagement. So he would not make it. But he was honoured to have the trophy in his name.
“These two gentlemen are legends in Jamaica, and I believe the boys need to know where we are coming from before they can know where they are going,” Davis said.
He revealed that he developed the concept after watching the NBA All Star game, and thought it would be interesting to have the best young talent put on a show at the end of their seasons.
“My idea was to bring the best players together and when I talked to the coaches they were quite excited about it, and the players even more so.
“The boys don’t get much recognition until they reach Manning Cup and some of them lose the love and drop out of the sport for whatever reason. And I believe they need encouragement to keep going.”
He added that they are extremely happy with the first staging and look to improve on it going forward.
“We met our objectives, which was to showcase the boys and give them a platform to play together.
“We have plans to expand the All Stars brand into other sports. We want to use the same concept in basketball and tennis. We don’t want to limit ourselves to football alone.
“I am most definitely in it for the long haul. I just want to get more corporate support, as this was basically done out of pocket apart from Medical Disposables and Supplies, and Grace.”