BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Federation’s men’s football team returned home on Tuesday (July 4) to much fanfare following its historic run to qualify for the 2023 CONCACAf Gold Cup in the United States.
In the team’s three-week tour of the United States for the tournament, the Sugar Boyz fought valiantly to defeat Curacao and French Guiana in the qualifying rounds to make the main event for the first time in its history.
Adulations, respect and commendations were showered on the team as the men passed through the Kayan Jet VIP Lounge just west of the main building at the Robert L Bradshaw International Airport, where Minister of Sports Samal Duggins and well wishers greeted the team on arrival.
The Minister used the occasion to underscore the importance of the groundwork that goes into the success on the field of play, noting that the work starts before the performance on the field. In that breath, he “acknowledged President, Mr. Atiba Harris for the hard work that he has been putting in” for the national team.
“This journey, as it is now, had started a long time ago. And for many of you it started with your passion…,” Minister Duggins said.
He commended Harris for his vision of football in St. Kitts and Nevis, while acknowledging that he had lifted the standard of the game.
Alphonso Bridgewater, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), disclosed that he was impressed with the “tenacity and the courage” shown by the players on the field despite the setback in the three games that they suffered heavy defeats (Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Jamaica).
“Bear in mind that I want you to take all the lessons that you have learnt, not so much from the matches you’ve won and you have qualified, because we learn so much from when we make mistakes and when we lose than when we are victors,” he told the squad.
The team heard encouraging words from Ambassadors Kenny Douglas and Leon Natta-Nelson, with Coach Austin Huggins and Captain Julani Archibald also recounting what it meant for them as a team to make the Gold Cup.
