Minister of Sport Roger Boynes was expected to discuss the proposal handed to him by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation in a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, in a private meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Manning later in the day.
This was divulged Boynes after he met with TTFF President Oliver Camps and Special Advisor and Chairman of LOC Germany 2006 Jack Warner at the Ministry of Sport Offices on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain for just about half hour on Wednesday. Warner headed straight to the meeting after coming off a flight from New York after midday.
Among the matters discussed were the chartering of a flight from Trinidad to Bahrain for the away leg playoff match on November 16, the salaries of head coach Leo Beenhakker and his assistants and incentives, match fees for the players of the Team.
“The meeting saw us discuss several items being mainly further assistance to the National Team as they try to qualify for the next World Cup as well the way forward as it relates to Leo Beenhakker,” Boynes told TTFF Media.
“I was presented with the proposal which was requested from the TTFF and I intend to discuss it with my cabinet shortly so that we will then be in a position to make a commitment as to our further financial commitments.”
“The proposal also dealt with the need to charter a plain from Trinidad to Bahrain and other items as hotel accommodations, matches fees and bonus, and incentives for the players leading up to the World Cup. We have a comprehensive proposal in our hands at the moment,” Boynes stated.
He also mentioned that his Ministry will be meeting with Corporate T&T to get them on board in support of the World Cup effort.
“What we will do is look at what the Government of Trinidad and Tobago can contribute and what corporate T&T pledges to put forward and then we can be in a position to ensure that the needs of the TTFF and our team are satisfied.”
Boynes said because the playoff is such a short time away, he intends to reply to the TTFF on its proposal by this Friday.
“The TTFF has indicated how urgent the situation is and we do intend to follow up as quickly as possible and it is in that light that I will hold discussions with the Prime Minister who I know is very concerned and keen to support the football and the team’s drive for Germany and he also is the main drive behind the National Sports Policy “
TTFF President Camps later described the meeting as an “amicable” one.