St James duo released on school’s request
THE Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has released Allan Ottey and Ricardo Morris of St James High after they failed to report to a national training camp which commenced on Monday.
The players, from the Under-20 group, were invited by national head coach Theodore Whitmore, as the team continues preparation for the Costa Rica friendly international scheduled fo November 17 in Fort Lauderdale, USA.
It is understood that after the players failed to report to the camp, the JFF received a letter from St James High School requesting the players not be considered for the Digicel Caribbean Championship, which is slated for November 25 through December 6 in Martinique, due to both students falling behind with their academic work.
Specifically, the letter from the school stated that Ottey is currently required to complete School-Based Assessment (SBA) for subjects he expects to do in the CSEC Examinations next year.
The letter also stated that on several occasions both students missed regular lessons and will therefore need extra classes and individual attention if they are to be successful in their exams.
It was also stated that the attendance patterns for both may not qualify them to participate in the school’s upcoming graduation.
Given the reasons advanced by the school for the withdrawal of the players from the national programme at this time, the JFF said it was expecting both players would be withdrawn from the daCosta Cup and other domestic schoolboy competitions to focus on their academics.