FOOTBALL and politics can mix, says FIFA vice-president Austin “Jack” Warner.
And he has advised Minister of Education Ronald Jones to continue to serve as president of the Barbados Football Association (BFA).
Warner referred to his own experience and battle with Trinidad and Tobago Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, who wanted him to give up his position on the world governing body when he became Works and Transport Minister in the Trinidad and Tobago government, citing a conflict of interest.
Speaking at the BFA’s 100th anniversary gala at The Crane Beach Resort in St Philip, Warner told Jones to make the next decade the “most memorable” for the game in Barbados.
“When president Jones became a Minister of Government, I said publicly and begged him, don’t give up football. In fact, President Jones, you are more of an asset to the football now than before,” Warner said.
“It is foolish for small countries like ours to water down our limited resources and President Jones, under your administration, you continue to build on the hard work of your predecessors and I say again to you, do not stop.
“The next decade must be more memorable than this one. The next ten years must be a defining moment and you must determine in that period how the future will be,” Warner said.
