If Trinidad and Tobago is serious about using the 2024/2025 TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) season as a nursery to develop players and a platform for national senior team selection under new coach Dwight Yorke, the match venues must be up to a certain standard.

So said Morvant Caledonia AIA technical director Jamaal Shabazz at the league's launch of its third edition at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on December 5.

Shabazz's troops open their campaign against hosts Terminix La Horquetta Rangers in the feature match of a double-header at La Horquetta Recreation Ground on December 6 from 8pm.

The earlier contest that gets the season under way sees last year's second-placed team Miscellaneous Police FC up against third-place finishers Defence Force in an anticipated serviceman derby from 6pm.

Shabazz believes this season is a crucial one as it serves as a precursor for TT's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which resumes in June.

Players from all clubs, he said, would be looked at in detail by national team scouts, in an effort to enhance the team's competitiveness ahead of the quadrennial tourney.

However, Shabazz said that the management of community grounds and its facilities remains an integral part of assisting this process. He directed his statement to the municipal corporations, particularly those on the east/west corridor.

'When you look at all the grounds in the east/west corridor it looks like a rastaman living in the hills. The hair/grass on the field is not conducive to football. The lights need to be fixed. The TTFA can't do that. This is the job and under control of the regional corporations.'

Shabazz backs Yorke to possibly turn a new page on TT's football future but reiterated the importance of proper pitch and facility management.

'We don't want Dwight Yorke to come to a game at Arima Velodrome and go blind, because the lights are not what they should be. We don't want him to go to Point Fortin (Mahaica Sporting Complex) where a magnificent facility has been built with no dressing rooms.

'This is important and part and parcel for good football and a good league, and players being motivated to play. We want young people to use the recreational facilities, but the grass is waist-high. Come on!'

Rangers coach Dave Quamina shared a similar sentiment and believes the proper upkeep of these facilities goes a long way in helping players get the best out of themselves, and by extension, increase the player pool for potential senior team selection.

'This is very important. Lionel Messi could have the best first touch in the world, but if the ground is bad, he can't be Messi. The maintenance of grounds is a serious thing and I think we have the machinery and equipment to do so, it's just management. Square pegs in round holes,' Quamina said.

Quamina confirmed multiple changes to the Rangers roster for the new season, with them now boasting a wealth of youth players (U20), several of whom who have never played at this elite, domestic level.

'We've restructured our