When domestic football came to a halt in March 2020 because of covid19, no one anticipated a three-year absence.
On Friday, the beautiful game makes a fresh return to the local circuit with the inaugural TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) set to kick off with a double-header at a refurbished Mahaica Sports Complex, formerly Mahaica Oval, in Point Fortin.
W Connection and Central FC play the opening fixture from 5pm while home team Point Fortin Civic Centre takes on southern rivals Club Sando from 7.30pm. An opening ceremony will be held from 4pm.
The venue, which was officially opened in October 2022, plays host to competitive domestic football for the first time. The approximately 1,795 seating is expected to be filled to capacity as the home team and travelling fans seek to catch their fill after such a lengthy downtime.
Altogether, 12 clubs in tier one will feature in a shortened season, which ends in June. Also competing are AC Port of Spain, Caledonia AIA, Cunupia FC, La Horquetta Rangers, Police FC, Prisons Services, San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force.
The season was shortened fall in line with the Concacaf season, which enables the top two TTPFL teams to be registered in time for the Concacaf playoffs.
There will be no promotion or relegation due to a truncated season which will mean that matches will be played on weekends and during the week.
Players and teams resume action for a second time in September and in October for the first official full season with matches at the Moruga Sports Complex, Mahaica Sports Complex, La Horquetta Recreation Ground and the Ken Cooke Ground (St James Police Barracks).
TT Football Association normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad said he's excited for the return of football this weekend, in addition to, the March 4 start of the Republic Cup National Youth League.
'It will be a great sight with football being played at boys, girls and senior men's levels across the country. The government, FIFA and our existing corporate partners such as Republic Bank with the National Youth League have been fantastic.
'Lots of work and collaboration with stakeholders has led us to this positive stage and we are really looking forward to it. We will continue to roll out our long term development plans and similar initiatives soon which should wet the appetite of fans and corporate partners,' he said.
Several coaches and players have a positive outlook on the new competition and are also elated for the resumption.
Speaking to TTPFL media, Caledonia AIA coach Jerry Moe said, 'It's good to have football back. It's one thing to train but a different thing when you have games to play. It also helps for the national team (selection).
'It gives guys something to look forward to, in terms of a job, to make some money when the month comes.
'It's a good opportunity for the young men who have ambition and want to leave Trinidad (to play overseas). The fact that the league has started back and we're going to be playing in the Concacaf top club championship, I thin
