The talent of schoolboy sensations Derrel "Zoom Zoom" Garcia and Lindell Sween will not be on display for this season’s edition of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), which got going last week.
Garcia, who went on trial in Spain for more than a year last year without the knowledge of the Ministry of Education, could not be recorded as a bona fide student at the Southern school, and had to re-register upon his entry in 2024.
This time, he is guaranteed to return to school next month, after being sent on a three-month loan transfer from local T&T Premier Football League club San Juan Jabloteh to Slinger FC in the Guyanese Football League (GFL).
After missing the opening NGC Super Cup match against Fatima College last Friday (September 12) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, and then on Wednesday, September 17, against Queen’s Royal College at the Mahaica Oval, Guardian Media Sports sought answers on the whereabouts of the young player who is expected to be in form five at St Benedict’s College, this year.
Manager Ravi Ramgoolam assured that Garcia, last season’s "Player of the Year", is in the school system, but did not say whether he will play this season.
Garcia's late registration in the school system in 2024 led to St Benedict's College surrendering the Premiership title, as points and goals were deducted for four matches that Garcia played while he was not registered. The Ministry of Education, under which the SSFL falls, intercepted documents that showed Garcia's exit from the school system without its knowledge.
Guardian Media asked Jabloteh coach Marvin Gordon if he has information that Garcia's absence from school presently has been communicated to the ministry? He replied, "We have done our part."
Gordon, who is also claiming guardianship of the young player, explained that arrangements have been made with the player's club, family, and school for him to play in the GFL, with an expected return next month.
He assured, though, that the player’s education will not be hampered.
Gordon said, “His guardian, who is his aunt, would have sent a letter to the school. I sent the information from the club and everything, and she would have sent it out to the school. He would be out for three months until October.
“We have an agent who I am speaking with presently, who is Powder, Noah Powder’s father, from the US. It’s just like Dantaye Gilbert. Before Dantaye left Trinidad and went out and got through, the agent made sure that he was well-rounded. So, they make sure that you have a personal tutor, a personal trainer, and all that. So, when Zoom Zoom goes back to school, because he will be going back to school, I can guarantee you that, because that’s something he and I talked about, for him to do his exams and all that. He will finish school, but part of the process is that he will also have tutors to help him do his schoolwork,” Gordon, a former SSFL standout midfielder, said.
He added, “Right in San Juan Jabloteh, we have teachers right within the club, and they work with the players, from San Juan North, etc.”
Gordon also revealed that Sween, who attends San Juan North Secondary and has been under Gordon at San Juan Jabloteh, has also signed a three-month loan agreement with Jabloteh and a club in Europe. Like Garcia, he too is expected back in the school system to do his exam, etc. Saying the intention is to expose players to the opportunities to make a life for themselves, the Jabloteh coach vowed to better the lives of many other young players.
“At the end of the day, we have to give these kids an opportunity. The Guyanese League is playing, but in Trinidad, there is no football. What should we do? Leave Zoom Zoom here in Trinidad to play minor league football? Or get him an opportunity to play under a coach like Jamal Shabazz, who can also educate him on and off the field. So, I saw it as an opportunity for the kid,” Gordon said.
