Hinds lambastes BFA top brass

Former general secretary of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), David Hinds has called for a change within the organization at the highest level.
Hinds, a former FIFA correspondent for the CONCACAF region, has maintained that local football has regressed because of a “clueless BFA executive” led by president Randy Harris.
Hinds, who left office in 2013, complained that the standard of football had deteriorated significantly over the past decade, despite the availability of more funding.
The former football administrator recalled that in 2013 Barbados was ranked at 143 after climbing from 156. He said at that time, the BFA was armed with a five-year strategic plan which was approved by the then BFA executive in collaboration with the Brewster’s Trust Organization.
The Barbados Tridents are currently ranked 166.
“This plan was presented to the clubs at the University of the West Indies in 2012. Ironically, then council member Randy Harris was one of the first to praise the plan and subsequently scrapped it when he became resident. . . . Now 11 years later, it was only last year that general secretary Edwin Wood told the media that the BFA was working on a strategic plan to which we have never heard of or seen to date.” Hinds said.
“I am almost certain we are the only country with a technical director who despite being gifted that position, spends more time overseas than in Barbados. He too has yet to lay a development plan before the people of Barbados.
“We have been given over $8 million dollars from FIFA; not to mention the money allocated for various programmes and we don’t even have proper seating or shelter at Wildey (Astro Turf) and are relying on rented lights. It’s just crazy where the priorities of this Harris administration are,” he added.
However, Hinds contended that football clubs on the island were partly responsible for the downward slide of football in Barbados.
“It’s the clubs who are responsible for this. They speak in cozy corners, call or message me and few others who love the game and want to see positive change, but they need to be vocal at meetings and let the BFA administration know their concerns and frustrations,” he said.
The now public relations professional said football had paved the way for his growth and development, despite never having kicked a ball at any level.
Hinds said the sport opened doors and contacts for him which helped him to reach where he is today.
“Another factor I ask persons to consider when they lambast the team on their poor results is that we are asking working men and women to come to practice after leaving their respective employment. Some of them have families and transportation issues. It’s hard for most of them to train properly and give 100 percent when football is merely a hobby to them,” Hinds explained
“We have heard the CFU/BFA president often talk about a professional league which would not only reward these players financially, but improve their skills. However, it’s just another empty promise until the next election,” Hinds added.
(KC)