Warriors backroom staff pleased with 'acknowledgment'
by Ian Prescott (Express)
Monday, July 17th 2006
DOCTOR Terrence Babwah is pleased more by the acknowledgment of their contribution to the Soca Warriors than the $250,000 which Government announced will be awarded to each member of the technical staff which worked with the Trinidad and Tobago team at the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.
At last Thursday's Cabinet briefing it was announced that nine members of the team's backroom staff including Bruce Aanensen (manager), George Joseph (assistant manager), Babwah (team doctor), Zephrinus Nicholas (physio/trainer), Wayne Lawson (trainer), Oba Gulston (physiotherapist), Ikin Williams (equipment manager), Shaun Fuentes (media officer), and Cecil Wint (nutritionist) will each be rewarded with $250,000.
"I think it was a good gesture from the Government ," Babwah said. "It was not a one-man show in Germany, it was a group effort. We did everything as a team."
Asked if $250,000 was enough in light of the $1 million which head coach Leo Beenhakker collected, Babwah replied: "Anything would have been enough. What was most important was the acknowledgment."
Babwah said he treasured the World Cup experience, adding it was a pleasure working with a top coach such as Beenhakker, from whose professionalism he benefited.
"I learnt a lot from Beenhakker. Of course, he had his moods, but he was generally good to work with. I learnt a lot from his professionalism," said Babwah, who also endorsed Dutch assistant Wim Rijsbergen's promotion to head coach now that Beenhakker had taken up an assignment with Poland.
"Of course, Wim is a totally different personality. But, he has been the guy behind the scenes who has been responsible for a lot of the planning behind the team. I think he will do well since he has been in charge of some of the more important aspects behind the success of the team."
Like Babwah, equipment manager Ikin Williams was pleased that his contribution was recognised.
A worker at the Government Printery, Williams admitted he had given up chances of promotion due to his involvement with national football teams since 1989.
"I never went into this to get something," he said. "I did this because I loved it. I enjoyed working and being around the players. I am pleased that Government has seen it fit to recognise what we have done."
Physio/trainer Zephrinus Nicholas has been seconded from the Defence Force and was working at the CAC Junior Track and Field Championships up to yesterday when informed by the Express of the windfall.
He was not surprised by the gift, but preferred to remain tight-lipped until officially informed.
