What does qualifying mean for TNT? As the days move toward the World Cup, we are witnessing the Good, Bad and Ugly. Undoubtly there was europhia of gragantum proportions at the realization of qualifying ; the national outpouring of emotions and displays of patriotism was unprecedent to anything we have witnessed in about a decade. Now after this wave have subsided, we are seeing daily power plays for financial profits and who stands to profit the most and who stands to pay the most after all is said and done?
Here is your opportunity to list your ideas in the three catergories. I will start by listing:
The GOOD:
We qualify for a World Cup; instant focus on TNT; world wide awareness of who we are and clear distinction between TNT and another island in Caribbean. Yuh know how people who eh know better does think all caribbean people from one Bob Marley isle. Now they go know we have soca and not reggae. World wide marketing. This ought to boost the tourist $$$$.
The BAD:
Reports of nepotism is running rampant: from those who are being given concessions to be on the trip to Germant as the 'touring officials' to those who are insidiously profiting in merchandising and ticketing. Once more the ordinary citzen who has to feel the financial burden in ordeer to support a passion is bearing the cross that props up those with access to and those who stand to make a financial profit. Should n't the legacy and tribute of this event somehow benefit the entire nation just just a few? Couldn;t financial revenue be put back into the general coffers?
The UGLY:
The political mileage certain individulas are attempting to garner from this event is evident. Government is being balmed for lack of support yet certain individuals in the private sector is not being held accountable for funds passing like peas. Which single individual has amonopoly on all things football in TNT? which single individual is the chairman of the LOC? which single individual is garnering political mileage as he moves to fulfill a political aspiration? I eh calling names but we all have tuh give 'jack he jacket' to those who trully belive what they are doing is for the common good yet the common folks are being squeezed by an elitist group who controls and contorts the facts.
It would seem like every company which launches a scheme to profit is suspect; how did they get exclusive rights? what or who are they connected to? what promises and kicbacks are being arranged? for example here is the latest from today's Guardian:
Graphix to put Warriors paraphernalia on market
Sunday 25th December, 2005
The Football Federation and the Local Organising Committee 2006 has formed a partnership with Graphix Advantage Ltd, a Chaguanas-based company to produce and sell Soca Warriors paraphernalia from January 2006.
Chairman of the LOC Jack Warner met with Imam Baksh and Ramesh Ramdhan, representatives of Graphix Advantage on Thursday to finalise the exclusive license and authorisation agreement.
Last month it was announced that Graphix would be producing car sun visors to highlight the success of Leo Beenhakker’s team but now Graphix has added more items and has received the blessings of Warner and company with proceeds going towards the TTFF and Dwight Yorke and his teammates.
Baksh was delighted on getting the TTFF/LOC’s approval as he revealed the list of items that will be available to the public in a few weeks time.
They range from children pencil sets to calendars, key chains and key rings, fleet wraps, banners, travel mugs, bandanas and billboard wraps among other items.
“This is truly a great opportunity for us to ensure that most if not every household has something relating with the Soca Warriors by the time the World Cup comes around next June,” Baksh told TTFF media.
“We have agreed to produce a wide selection of items which of course will be available to a cross section of the public and to corporate T&T.”
Warner, aware that there has been a huge demand for Soca Warriors paraphernalia, expressed pleasure in the production and said he hopes that it reaches Germany by the time the team arrives there in the first week of June.
He explained that it could not have been available earlier because of certain arrangements which had to be put in place for the production of official products as he sorted to ensure that the players were also involved in final agreements.
“We know there has been a huge request for items like shirts, caps, key chains, you name it and we want to assure the people that they will have the opportunity to have the Soca Warriors with them in some form in the very near future,” Warner stated.
“You will be able to get all these products not just at Graphix in Chaguanas but also in other well known public outlets like the KFCs and other sports shops and then of course we know there is also a huge demand for items in other countries so we will ensure they can also be part of this,” Warner added.
Adidas T&T shirts will also be available in due course to the T&T faithful.
Warner and TTFF president Oliver Camps also thanked T&T fans in other parts of the globe for the tremendous support over the last 12 months.
“No one person could imagine how we all feel during this time of the year not only because of the success of qualifying for the first World Cup but also because of the way in which we did it together as a people.
“To see how we came together to beat Mexico and then to hold Bahrain and to see how we hugged each other when we beat Bahrain is the best Christmas reward for us,” Warner said.
Baksh can be reached at his offices located at 199 Caroni Savannah Road, Chaguanas, at 671-1248 / 665-8763.
©2004-2005 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
Designed by: Randall Rajkumar-Maharaj · Updated daily by: Sheahan Farrell
Could you think of more to put in these catergories? Should we the public not demand more disclosure, and public accountability?