CI fans see World Cup thanks to football boss
(CNS): It was all thanks to home-grown international football boss, Jeffery Webb, that Cayman Islands fans were able to see the sport’s most iconic image in all its gold splendour this week when the World Cup trophy touched down in Cayman as part of the Coco-Cola world promotional tour. As noted by Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden, it was “a bit surreal” to have such a famous trophy on local soil as the chances of a nation as small as Cayman ever lifting it were almost impossible. But as part of the world of footballing nations, the cup is an inspiration for local players to dream big. It is also a dream for Webb, who is now the president of CONCACAF and VP of FIFA, and in a position of influence to ensure the cup stopped in Cayman.
Webb said it was great to welcome the World Cup Trophy to his home and, like all players and lovers of the game, he knew what it meant to so many people. Speaking at a special reception at the Island Air hanger, where the special tour plane waited at Owen Roberts international Airport, he said he fell in love with football at the age of nine as he played in the streets around the Walkers Road area, which, he said, was his field of dreams.
Wondering who could have imagined where the game would take him, Webb, who is now one of the most senior football officials on the world stage, made it clear he was delighted that the trophy had come to Cayman.
“We tried to get it to Cayman last time but it didn’t happen. This time the trophy wasn’t going anywhere unless it came here,” he said, before taking the famous football icon to the Truman Bodden Stadium, where Cayman’s young players would get a glimpse of the cup that can only be held by winning players and the heads of state of those countries.
Despite a hanger full of football crazy men standing in awe of the trophy, it was the Cayman governor, Helen Kilpatrick, who unveiled football's most sacred symbol and who received a mini replica of the cup.
Although Cayman’s national team is unlikely to lift the trophy during the lifetime of anyone at the reception, the kids representing the next generation of national players can still dream. And although only a limited number of people were invited to the reception, the trip to Truman Bodden ensured that the dream can live on.
Minister Bodden spoke about the importance of football and sport in general. Following the success of the recent under 15 regional tournament in Cayman, he said football would play a key part in the country's hopes for sports tourism.
The trophy, which arrived in Cayman Monday lunchtime and departed in the evening for Bahamas, will cover some 92,000 miles on its 80 nation-tour ahead of the World Cup tournament in Brazil next year.
Category: Sports
My kids held the Rugby World cup and I remember it was not only on the pitch at the rugby club but also made an appearence at Hurlys.
CNS you must have the most miserable bunch of readers – they moan about just everything.
Why should I care when you gave me no opportunity to see it? Who exactly was this for? If it was supposed to be a privilege for Cayman generally, why was the event invitation-only? Next time be a bit smarter and more inclusive. I'm glad you and a few dozen other people went to the trouble of honouring yourselves with a viewing.
What a complete waste of time and money. I'm as big a football fan as anyone, but why anyone cares about seeing a trophy in a glass case is beyond me…
What a sad lonely life you must lead. Try so get some enjoyment from something before you shrivel up and die.
It is this kind of metality that will leave this world in ruins for our grandchildren. Shame on you.
Yep, it shows how low we humans have sunk that a private jet is hired, to fly around a stupid trophy. Whatever this promotion is to achieve – I don't kow, but I am sure the money used to fund it could have done a lot of good in places where it is badly needed, be it feeding the poor, fighting pollution, paying for vacines or even to sponsor football programs for underprivileged children………
Ladies & Gentlemen! Let us all stand and give the president of CONCACAF and VP of FIFA, Our Own Son Of The Soil MR. JEFF WEBB, a mighty round of applause! OK? OK! CLAP CLAP CLAP! YEEAAH JEFF. You're a humble man, of whom we are extremely proud.
PROUD OF YOU YOUNG MAN! Stay focused!
Quick, get a statue made for the National square of supreme heroes.
They are about to announce a statue in "Heroes Square" dedicated to the statue makers of the Cayman Islands.
JEFF! I take back everything I said in the above comment!
I thought this would have been a treat for "ALL" the local football fans, but especially a chance for all those young football enthusiasts, who one day aspire that they could be on a team that would claim "that" trophy. But instead you have a "special invitation only" for all your close buddies and others. SHAME ON YOU!
I used the word "HUMBLE" in my comment something which I now regret, because the way this was done shows little humility! My son who is a football fan was hoping that he and other young fans like himself would have had an opportunity to physically view the trophy. But instead you invite a bunch of people of whom few are real football fans, in fact a lot of them never go to watch a local football game, but instead are great fans of "American Football". You have lost a lot of fans over this screwup my friend!!.
THANKS FOR THE LET DOWN.
Why invitation only? There are others who would have paid good $ to stand next to/take a pic with this thing. Poor choice again CIFA.
I agree with you. Only a selected few saw it. My kids attend a certain school where the trophy was at and only a certain few kids got to see it. All politics as usual for Webb and his cronies
Well obviously only certain folks would be invited to view this "trophy", lets not forget the spew of armed robberies happening in Cayman….someone might have tried stealing it. Stupid I know, but hello they robbed dominoes the other day…I put nothing past these idiots!