Buoyed by another extension of his contract, former Barbados captain and coach, Keith Griffith, is happy his work with footballers and coaches in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has been recognized by the sport’s governing body.
“After my initial stint last year, I was given a six-month contract from January to July, but following a visit by two FIFA officials, my contract has been extended to December 31,” Griffth told SUNSPORT in a telephone interview on Friday.
“They were very impressed with my development and youth programme which I have developed for the elementary schools (primary) here as well as a women’s programme. I have also been working with a cadre of 12 coaches, developing their skills while I conduct a grassroots programme every Saturday for players, 14 years and under,” said Griffith, who is now based on St Thomas after his stint in St Croix last year.
Griffith said he had also been keeping abreast of developments in local football and welcomed news that the Barbados Football Association has kept faith with national coach Colin “Potato” Forde, who will have a new assistant in Randolph Cox.
“My advice to him and the technical staff is that they should go for a blend of youth and experience. We need to win some matches. Having played without winning any of our World Cup qualifying matches, we need to get some positive results in the Digicel Cup which would also enhance our world ranking, since we have moved from our best of 93 in 2006, to an all-time low 175 at the moment,” Griffith said.
“I would like to see Dwayne Stanford, one of my favourite players, and someone like Jeffrey Williams, back in the national set-up as we need to have a few experienced players, since we got to play to win.”
The national team also has a new manager with Fabian Wharton taking over from Franklyn Gill, who tendered his resignation in February.
Griffith also commended his former national and clubmate Eric Alleyne for “doing so well” with Weymouth Wales, the Premier League leaders.
