What is there next for Gary Griffith, former National Security Advisor, former Minister of National Security, and former Commissioner of Police?
We all know that he has a love for sport. So it came as a big surprise for many as Griffith launched the Central West FC Sharks on Friday night at All Out, Queen’s Park Oval.
Admitting he was not the owner, Griffith said he would be taking over the full running and administration of the club. In other words, the Manager.
So why did he get involved in the operations of this club, which will participate in the Pro League 2026-2027?
Griffith said his decision to become directly involved in professional football was based on his belief that the leadership, structure and discipline he brought to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service could also be applied to the administration of a professional football club.
He said, “I have been watching the operations for some 12 plus years, from the deceased Raymond Tim Kee, the deceased David John Williams, William Wallace, Robert Hadad and Keiron Edwards (all TTFA Presidents).
“I have seen the movements, I have seen the pros and cons. I have seen good things done, mistakes made and I believe I have the capability to assist in the re-development of Trinidad and Tobago football.
“I believe I can mould a team and a club and use that as a template for other clubs to try and piggy back off of it.”
Griffith said Trinidad and Tobago Football needs help. He appealed to corporate TT to come forward to assist and not wait until three months before a World Cup to get involved. He said when Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the World Cup in November 2005, there was not a murder for some time. He said sport united the country.
Griffith said when he was Commissioner of Police, he had some good young footballers staying downstairs the Commissioner’s residence because they had no where to go and no one to look after them. He said they were very talented and even played for the national youth team.
As soon as I was no long Commissioner of Police, two of these guys were killed and a third is in prison for murder.
Griffith heaped praises on former FIFA Vice-President and Government Minister, Dr Jack Warner whom he described as his mentor where work ethics were concerned.
Griffith also expressed concern about the apparent decline in the standard of local football and the perception that Trinidad and Tobago no longer possesses sufficient talent.
He added, “We have a wealth of talent here, but we are not developing it properly,” he said. “We cannot expect to get anywhere in international football if we are simply waiting to find players overseas whose grandfather was a Trinidad and Tobago citizen, or looking at players competing in the lower divisions in places such as Vietnam and Oman.”
Among the players to line up for Central West FC include former Trinidad and Tobago captain, Kevin Molino, and current national players, Jovin Jones, and Alvin Jones.
