'Coaches must stay curious'

The UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup and Conference in Barcelona has been brought to a close with a review of the week's proceedings and some final thoughts for the delegates to take away with them.

Aims reiterated
UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh led the review of the past four days and began by reminding his audience of the conference's aims at the start of the week - to listen to presentations, exchange information, receive materials, offer ideas, make contacts - and oversaw a tribute to CAF in the year of the African confederation's 50th anniversary. He then considered how these aims had been achieved, with the aid of presentations, practical sessions, interviews, discussions, the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup matches and informal talks.

Crucial curiousity
Roxburgh used a Cameroonian proverb he had mentioned several times throughout the conference – "He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers" – and reminded his audience how relevant that was to their chosen profession. "As coaches, we have to keep being curious and asking questions," he said. "The day you stop doing that is the day you should retire. Try to learn as if you'll live forever, and live as if you'll die tomorrow. Today's talents are tomorrow's heroes and we can contribute to that; it might only be a small contribution, but it could be decisive."

Farewell speeches
There followed farewell speeches from Spanish Football Federation president and UEFA vice-president Angel María Villar Llona, who thanked delegates for their attendance and extended his gratitude to UEFA, CAF, the Catalan Football Association and everyone involved with the week's events. "I hope you felt at home here, and we will meet again in two years' time," he concluded. A CAF spokesman passed on the confederation's thanks and praise for the week's activities before the last word went to UEFA's Youth and Amateur Football Committee chairman Jim Boyce.

Friends first
"This is a new concept on which UEFA and CAF agreed," he explained. "There are coaches from 53 countries in each continent, and the most important thing is the friendship you will all take home with you. Football is a game that unites people regardless of religion, colour or creed and this week is yet another example of that. Everyone will leave with happy memories of their four days in Barcelona. This is a tremendous concept: bringing young players together to make friends is what football's all about."