CAN HAITIAN SOCCER REGAIN ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN WORLD COMPETITION?
By Noe Dorestant, E.E.
It has been 25 years (1974), since Haiti participated in a World cup with world class player such as Emmanuel Sanon, alias Ti Manno, who proved his world class talent when he scored the goal against Italy that shocked the world and Dino Zoff.
Having been an amateur soccer player since kindergarten age and a passionate follower of world soccer, and having watched over the years, the painful decline of Haitian style soccer, in Haiti and abroad. When I received the invitation card, I decided that I would not pass on the opportunity, that was extended to me by Sport Passion to assist at a conference about Haitian Soccer on Saturday, January 30th, 1999 with Emmanuel Sanon, Evans Lescouflair, James Auguste, Bernard Souilliez etc...
I was a good thing I went, since the experience and the positive information gave me an added incentive to think, to write and hopefully to act for a revival of our national sport and the world number one pass time, football that some call soccer.
L-R Veteran World cup player, Emmanuel Sanon and Haitian Minister of sport, Evans Lescouflair.
I knew beforehand who the star of the night was going to be. Without a doubt Emmanuel Sanon, who because of his world cup exploit on June 15th 1974, has been recognized as one of the 100 heroes of World Cup soccer. There were to be other stars in this Miami downtown skyline, Evans Lescouflair, Haitian Secretary of State for youth and Sport, former soccer trainer for the respected school of soccer of Saint Louis the Conzague that has produced so many Haitian star players that are currently evolving in Miami soccer competition such as Patrick Tardieu and so on.
Emmanuel Sanon receiving the key of the City of Miami from Joe Jean Baptiste,representative of Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, as French trainer, Bernard Souillier applauds.
By his own account, Minister Lescouflair brought to the attention of the audience some of the efforts that he has headed with the belated ask for technical help of friendly nation such as France, in the preparation of Haitian youths for World Cup Socc er in 2006. He is currently working with Bernard Souillier, an expert soccer trainer put at his disposal by the "Cooperation Francaise", to help bring Haitian soccer infrastructure to world class level. I need not remind anyone that France was the world cup champion in 1998 and that one of their key player that successfully paved the way to allow them to be in the final, was originally from a French island of the Caribbean. Need I tell you who the player was and which Caribbean Island he is from? If you know the answer, consider yourself up to date.
Local Haitian soccer team in Miami posing with their coach, Nono Jean Baptiste.
There was talk of a renaissance of Haitian Soccer by those who reminisced of the good old day of Haitian soccer competition in Boston, New York and Miami. The latter seems to be making a comeback after failing on an opportunity to win a back to back ch ampionship in 1998. The Miami players who were in the audience were reminded that they must win the opening Copa Latina game tomorrow, if they wish to play in Kenya, Africa. An invitation offer was made earlier by a Kenyan citizen and international busin essman present in the audience.
Haitian-Copa Latina team is presented to the public while adopted mother looks on.
It is without a doubt that Haiti and Haitians have been blessed with world class talents. We must all join in the effort to make of Haitian soccer one that is dignified and structured, so we could once again regain our rightful place in world soccer history. If the nation of France could delegate to the nation of Haiti a trainer like Bernard Souillier, who had no problem to say publicly while looking at everyone in the eyes: "I am here to help Haiti sincerely with all my heart", and to acknowledge that he has witnessed around the Haitian nation, Haitian youngsters with special aptitude to play soccer, and who with proper guidance, adequate structures and support could turn out to be some of the finest player in this game.
I believe: that we, Haitian, can and should rise up to the challenge and help our countrymen to rebuild soccer, that could surely reassure Haitian pride and Haiti's development. If we put forth our best effort and succeed in what must be in Haitian na tional interest and honor. Be the best that we can be in a sport, that no one can deny or deprive us of what God has already blessed us with: "our God given natural ability". And who knows? Maybe in the process we may end up surpassing some and make the pride of the friendly nations that are helping us in time of peace. With all due respect to Capois LaMort and Rochambeau, although we must not forget our past, we must all realize that we now live under different time, and should hope for a "Capois La Vie" who would say that "soccer ball is dust" "En avant, en avant! Let us be once again a nation of winners in the field of sport where we know we can excel.
By the way the Haitian-Miami team lived up to the Saturday challenge by winning the opening Copa Latina game against Chili-Florida team, one day after this conference by a score of 2-1 under the joyful eyes of 90% Haitian of origin crowd estimated at five thousand, shouting Creole, English and Spanish words while singing, dancing and motivating the team to the rhythm of Haitian roots music during the entire second half time. The crowd remembered last year, they were the favorite and lost, perhaps because they were too confident and too quiet. This time no one took a chance, the Haitian audience was the twelve player of the field, but near enough to make an impact. So can you!
Ted Hendricks stadium in Hialeah half full, the audience is seated on the opposite side to avoid the ultra violet rays of the sun at 4pm: (Haitian-Copa Latina team, moment before second half time kickoff, the score was already 2-1 against the Chilean local team.
Mingling with the crowd are: Haitian veteran World cup player, Emmanuel Sanon, Haitian Minister of Sport and Youth, Evans Lescouflair, French Trainer, Bernard Souillier, past Copa Latina Haitian team captain, Patrick Tardieu, etc ....
Haitian team players: Isaac Chauvet, jersey #12 and Alcess Flambert, jersey #11 on the attack during second half where they conserved the winning score of 2 to 1 against Universidad Catolica of Chili during El Nuevo Herald Copa La tina of February 1999 in Florida.
Written by: Noe Dorestant
on February 1st, 1999
Note: All pictures were photographed and provided by Noe Dorestant as a token of his civic contribution to help promote Haitian soccer on the Internet. If you copy and/or plan to reuse any of these pictures. PS give credit to the originator. All rights reserved 1999. Web page designed by Noe Dorestant.
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