WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — Amid growing concerns over Jamaica’s football program, Gilbert Martina, President of the Curacao Football Federation, has hailed Jamaica as a regional benchmark. Martina is determined to leverage Jamaica’s expertise to elevate Curacao’s football standing in the Caribbean. Since gaining independence in 2011 following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao has made significant strides in international football. Their 2017 Caribbean Cup victory over Jamaica propelled them to 68th in the FIFA rankings, and they reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Despite falling short in previous World Cup campaigns, Curacao is now closer than ever to qualifying for the global tournament, thanks to a recent 2-0 win over Jamaica in a crucial Concacaf World Cup Qualifier. This victory placed them atop Group B with seven points, surpassing Jamaica’s six. Martina, a seasoned businessman, has been instrumental in addressing financial and organizational challenges since assuming the federation’s presidency earlier this year. He has secured sponsorships, including Corendon Airlines, and revived the national football league after a three-year hiatus. Martina is also collaborating with Jamaican officials to replicate their successful professional league model and integrate Jamaica’s physical and technical strengths into Curacao’s gameplay. With three games remaining, Curacao aims to maintain its lead in the qualifiers, with Martina believing that World Cup qualification would be a transformative moment for the nation, inspiring hope and pride among its youth.