MULLING FUTURE: Barbados technical director Keith Griffith (left) is fully focused on the play whilst coach Eyre Sealy attempts to transmit instructions from the touchline during the team's 1-1 draw against Bermuda on Thursday night. (Picture by Philip Spooner.)

by EZRA STUART

THE FUTURE OF Keith Griffith as technical adviser to the Barbados football team is in doubt.

Following Barbados' qualification for the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago, next year, as Group "G" second round winners, Griffith told SUNSPORT he is unsure about accompanying the team to the twin-island republic next year.

Griffith, who along with head coach Eyre Sealy and assistant coach Jerry Skeete formed the technical team, revealed that he has some concerns with the Barbados Football Association (BFA).

"I've a couple of issues with the BFA and if they are not settled between now and December 4, I would just step aside because I can't continue in this vein," he said.

Griffith, who along with Trinidadian Hannibal Najar were the first Caribbean coaches to gain the English FA International Advanced Certificate badge and the "A" licence in 1987, is qualified to coach anywhere in the world.

"This is my profession and I must be treated fairly. I am not saying I am the greatest coach in the world but at the same time, I know that along with my technical staff, the management and the players, we have delivered, so the issues have to be settled soon," he added.

When asked to state what "the issues" were, Griffith said he preferred not to disclose them in public but he said there is a possibility he might be imparting his technical knowledge to another Caribbean country.

"I got an offer to go back overseas and I am contemplating that because at times you need to move on and do what is right for you personally," he said.

Griffith, who also coached the Antigua national team, returned home from a coaching stint in the United States Virgin Islands earlier this year where he guided their national women's team to the semi-final round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

The former national sweeper and striker said he would like to thank the Barbadian fans for their support in the three Group G matches. Barbados won 2-1 against the Bahamas and 3-0 against St Vincent and the Grenadines and drew 1-1 with Bermuda at the National Stadium last week.

"I want to thank the fans for being supportive throughout, and if given the opportunity to continue to serve, with God's guidance, I believe that we can go on and win the Digicel Cup and reach the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States in June," Griffith said.

"I am happy and proud of "Bajan Pride" that we have won the group and we are going to the final as qualifiers for the first time in 12 years, with or without Keith Griffith,"
he added.

It was the first time Griffith had coached a Barbados side since he also took the team to the Shell Cup finals back in 1994.

The eight-team finals are set for January 31 to February 11 and the national team will take a break from national training until December 5.

* ezrastuart@nationnews.com