Roy Simpson | An open letter to local-based footballers

Dear Players:

Let me hope you all continue to keep healthy and safe during these times of uncertainty caused by the dreaded pandemic – COVID-19.

By now you would have all seen or heard of the provisional list named for the 2021 edition of the Gold Cup and the inclusion or non-inclusion of athletes.

I specifically want to address the non-inclusion of many of our athletes domiciled in Jamaica – the base of our operations. In March 2020, all football was suspended due to the pandemic and since that time all our athletes have been competitively dormant. We had a few local camps to create opportunities for athletes to be selected for games.

The intention was good; however, it could not replace the consistent play a league offers.

Before compiling the list, we were heartened to learn of the resumption of the league and had hoped it would have commenced before the deadline for submission of the provisional list as we believed this would have indicated to us the readiness of some of our athletes.

Unfortunately, it did not.

MANY OPPORTUNITIES

As you all continue to prepare for the commencement of the league we want to assure you that though you have not been included for the Gold Cup, there will be many opportunities for all with the World Cup Qualifiers commencing in September 2021.

The format will afford athletes a genuine opportunity to vie for a spot – three games in September, October, two in November 2021 and three more in January and March 2022.

Exclusion from the Gold Cup Provisional List is not the end of your participation with the Senior Men’s Team. We encourage you to continue working hard and always remember that the final eleven on the pitch at all times is a subset of the set of all our athletes.

As manager, I always hoped that everyone could be involved all the time, that we know is not physically possible.

What I know is that whether you are called or not, you have always sent messages of encouragement to the team.

Always remember that as an individual you carry the hopes of your children, your spouses, your families, your communities and the biggest responsibility to the people of Jamaica at home and in the diaspora.

And as always, I would not be consistent if I did not share with you a few lines from the original Reggae Boy – Bob Marley.

Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny

And in this judgement there is no partiality.

So arm in arms, with arms, we’ll fight this little struggle

‘Cause that’s the only way we can overcome our little trouble.

The lyrics make clear to me that if we are not willing to fight together and for each other as soldiers of our people, this battle will be lost. We cannot afford that. It means too much.

The group is made up of Jamaicans from home and abroad but the role of none is more important than the other. Like in military conflict, there are troops who fight at different stages of the battle, so it is in this one. It is important that you are ready to take your shot when the opportunity presents itself.

As I always say to you, football is for the people, our people, all people.

One love,

Roy Simpson