‘Tappa’ Whitmore Reunites with Reggae Boyz on Return to National Stadium

Former national head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, seen tapping into the respect he bemoaned was lacking, as he was at the international football game on Tuesday between Jamaica and Guatemala at the National Stadium.

Jamaica played Guatemala in a World Cup qualifying game at the national stadium on June 10, 2025, which Jamaica won 3-0.

At the game, Tappa Whitmore, considered by many to be a Jamaican football legend, after his two goals against Japan in the 1998 World Cup to earn Jamaica its first and only World Cup victory to date, was seen embracing and greeting current players, Minister of Sport, the honourable Olivia “Babsy” Grange as well as the Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

Whitmore previously stated in an interview done in March 2025, that he would not be attending any international football games involving the national team, as he was not afforded the courtesy of being offered tickets to attend the games.

In the interview, Whitmore lamented the disrespect and indifference shown not only to him, but also to other past officials involved in the local football program by the hierarchy of the sports ministry and the national football federation.

According to Whitmore “ Si Jamaica team a play, and none a dem neva send a ticket come gi mi yet enuh. And mi nah call nuh baddy and beg dem none. If it nuh deh pon tv, mi nuh watch it.” Whitmore went on to say he would not be contacting the minister of sports, Olivia “Babsy” Grange for match tickets.

But if the images emanating from the most recent international football match at the national stadium is any thing to go by, it appears ‘Tappa’ is embracing the love and respect many feel he deserves and earned.

The public display of recognition by current members of the men’s senior national football team, the sports minister and the prime minister, seems to suggest where a fence might have been erected between ‘Tappa’ and the sporting ministry, now stands a bridge to repair once damaged relationships.