Barbados FA honours Jack Warner for contribution to football in the region

 FIFA vice-president, Jack Warner, right, receives an award from Ronald Jones, president of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) on Saturday night at the Crane Beach Resort, Barbados.

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was the toast of the town in Barbados Saturday night being honoured for his contribution to football in the Caribbean region.

He was in the island to deliver the feature address at the 100th anniversary of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), held at the Crane Beach Resort.

Warner, who is also president of CONCACAF and the CFU, expressed delight at the award, presented to him by the BFA president, Ronald Jones, who is the Minister of Education in the David Thompson Government.

On the receipt of the award, Warner said, "I did not expect it, but I remain humbled. Barbados is one of the islands close to my heart. Barbados has excelled in cricket, and just recently in athletics. Now it is time that this island excel in football."

The Works and Transport Minister in the Trinidad and Tobago government was high in praise of the BFA president, Ronald Jones, who has been a government minister for the past two years.

Warner added, "You see, your president is a government minister. No big thing here in Barbados. But it was a big thing in Trinidad four months ago when I was appointed a minister.

"The first thing Dr Keith Rowley (Leader of the Opposition) did was attack Jack Warner, that I could not remain in FIFA and be a Minister at the same time. Even the Integrity Commission got into the act. Unprecedented, within 48 hours, they say Jack Warner must do the right thing. Yes, I did the right thing, I stayed right here."

Pointing out that there were several politicians in high FIFA positions, Warner said, "We come from two very small islands, and instead of trying to build oursevles, this is what is happening, foolishness and pettiness.

"But I won't be daunted and I will continue, and try to improve the lives of thousands of youths in the region and make them live their dream."

Warner revealed that only last week, he asked FIFA president, Joseph Sepp Blatter for a fourth spot for this region in the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. He said CONCACAF has come a long way and deserves another spot among the bigger nations.

"When I became president of CONCACAF in 1990, we had one and a half spots. At every World Cup, I keep asking for another spot and I keep getting a half. We now have three and a half spots, and maybe, when we get the fourth spot, that spot could well be Barbados," Warner added.

He continued, "Everyone has dreams, why not Barbados? There is nothing to prevent the BFA from sharing that vision, from sharing that dream and making it a part of your reality. There is nothing to stop the BFA from the reality of a World Cup spot. Jamaica has done it; Trinidad and Tobago has done it. Why not Barbados?"

Warner, whose term as CONCACAF president ends in 2011, has already gotten the support of the BFA to be re-elected for another four-year stint.