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Whitmore is currently the Reggae Boyz interim coach.

Misha Lobban, Gleaner Writer

Winning has always meant much to me, but winning friends has meant the most.
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias, American athlete

Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore took over as interim coach for Jamaica's national football team, Reggae Boyz, last month, and has received widespread commendation for reviving the team's hope of qualifying for the World Cup following their victory over Mexico and Honduras on October 11 and 15.

The skilful midfielder is also current player/coach of local club Seba United. Whitmore started his football career with the Montego Bay Boys Club and has since played for Violet Kickers and Seba United, as well as English club Hull City and Livingston F.C. (Scotland).

His debut

He made his debut internationally in a friendly match against the USA in November 1993 and has since played 105 international matches, including the national team's participation in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Whitmore was also instrumental in Jamaica's victory in the Caribbean Football Championship in 1998 and was named Caribbean Footballer of the Year. He will remain in charge of the Reggae Boyz in the crucial qualifying match against Canada on November 19.

His best friend is Dwayne McKenzie, an executive of Seba United Football Club and a director of Seba United Company Club. McKenzie is also the operations manager of Aquasol Theme Park and owner/operator of Bubbles Car Care in Montego Bay.

In this week's feature, McKenzie shares interesting insights about his friend, 'Tappa' Whitmore, including the fact that at the start of his football career, 'Tappa' had predicted that he would be the PELE of Jamaica.

How did you meet Theodore Whitmore, and how long have you been friends?

One day I was on Barnett Lane getting repairs done to my motor car and I saw him going to the aid of an old lady, Miss Betty, who was being harassed by some youths. He then took her to a shop across the road and bought her a drink. I was impressed. When he came out, I called him and began to question him and commended him for what he did. Since that day we have been friends; this was over 20 years ago.

When we met he was playing football for a community team in Paradise, and then he started to play for Violet Kickers and won his first National Premier League title against my club, Seba United. I persuaded him to join Seba and the rest is history!

Tell us what you admire most about him and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

His loyalty and the fact that he is genuine. From the time we met, I found him to be very ambitious; he had just left senior school and was playing football for a community team in Paradise, and he was adamant that he would be the PELE of Jamaica.

He is also loyal. When he came to Seba, he went under the wings of Mr Gaynor, and irrespective of what happened during those years and with other clubs offering him big bucks to leave, he always said all the money in the world couldn't get him to betray Mr G, because when things were bad, Mr G was always there, and no matter what he would never let him down.

We have remained friends because he is so genuine and we share the same values. We are also both very committed to our families.

Tell us something interesting about him.

'Tappa' said to me some time ago that he would want to coach the national team before he is 40 years old. I told him that this would be impossible because Jamaica will not hire a local coach to do that work again for now. He was, however, adamant. When he told me that Captain Burrell called him and asked if he was interested in coaching the national senior squad, I knew then that this young man was really special. You know, since meeting him he has always said he is one youth from the ghetto who will prove to the world that honesty and hard work will result in you realising your dreams.

What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?

We talk about life, Seba, football in general and our family. 'Tappa' is a committed family man and he never stops talking about his children. When I see them voting 'Father of the Year', I wonder when they will award him.

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.

When he scored the two goals for Jamaica against Japan at the World Cup in 1998, it made me feel proud, and not just me but all Jamaicans. It was a great achievement, just like what Usain Bolt did at the Olympics this year for Jamaica, when he became the first man in history to set three world records.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of him, and why.

Reliable and honest - he is never afraid to say what's on his mind no matter what the consequence. Another word that comes to mind is genuine - he is real, what you see is what you get.

What are his favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?

His favourite is fish and ital stew.

He loves reggae music.

Football, definitely, and he loves to play dominoes.

Tell us the colour that you associate with him:

Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red - signifying someone you really love

Green - signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life

Red and green ... this is the colour of our club Seba and they represent purity and trueness. 'Tappa' is my true friend. We share everything and we can talk to each other about anything. I admire everything about him and he means everything to me. I think the best of him and wish the best for him. We both come from humble beginnings and I believe that together we are going to reach high places in the world.

Please send your feedback and comments to lobban_misha@yahoo.com.