By Nigel Simon (Trinidad Guardian)
JACK WARNER, FIFA vice-president and Concacaf boss, will be the patron of honour at the fourth edition of the T&T Cup World Youth Club Championships which kicks off on March 19 and concludes March 26.
This was announced by Alvin Corneal, the tournament’s director at the launch of the competition at the Carib Brewery Hospitality Suite, Champs Fleurs, yesterday.
Among the list of 64 teams registered to compete to date is a women’s side from St Kitts/Nevis while another team from Barbados has made enquires.
This year’s competition is being sponsored by Malta Carib and the Dion la Foucade Football Academy.
The one-week tournament will be played throughout Trinidad at the various stadia, and for the first time will not include teams from Tobago.
In his brief address, Corneal explained that the Tobago venues are currently being repaired and will not be available in time.
“We looked at the possibility of the Tobago teams travelling to Trinidad to compete, but this will be impossible because the Carifta Games is being staged in Tobago at the same time and space on air and sea transport will be difficult to get for that period.
“So far, we have 64 clubs, but already we are anticipating more teams to register before the March 11 deadline.
“We would like to accommodate as many as we can, but we also have to put in perspective the venues and their availability,” he said.
Corneal was full of praise for officials of the Ministry of Sports and Youths Affairs, who he said played a big part in getting the venues for the competition.
“It’s not every day a young player will get the chance to play at these stadiums, so hats off to Minister Roger Boynes because without him in our corner it would have been difficult to get the venues.
Anton Corneal, son of Alvin and coach of the national Under-20 team, hinted that some of the national youth team players in training will compete as part of pool teams.
The younger Corneal added: “Some of the players in the Under-15 and Under-17 talent pool are not attached to clubs and they, together with the players whose clubs are not participating, will compete with the national teams.
Among the clubs to compete the Under-15 and Under-17 Divisions are reigning Under-17 champion side Superstar Rangers, La Foucade Football Academy, Trinpro, Black Box, Cunupia Government School, defending Under-15 champion side W Connection, St Mary's College, Palo Seco Youths, Spitfire and Arima Ball Masters.
