T&T HOPES TO SCORE BIG WITH WORLD CUP SHOT
BY DOMINIC BASCOMBE
Twin islands hope football glory will give tourism a much needed fillip and even curb gun crime problem
Never before has so much rested on a game of football.
On November 16, the Trinidad and Tobago footballers beat Bahrain1-0 to snatch a spot in the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany.
The ‘Soca Warriors’ will be representing the smallest country at this year’s World Cup and are carrying the dreams of the 1.5 million strong population along with them.
But this, it seems, is no ordinary game of football as the qualification for the World Cup tournament, and indeed the route to getting there, has been ascribed with the power to change almost every area of life in the tiny twin island republic.
A massive boost to the country’s renowned Carnival and the tourism sector is widely expected as well as positive contributions in terms of international energy investments. But even plans to tackle rising crime in the island have been promised as a result of the team qualification.
TOURISM
When it comes to idyllic tourist destinations, Trinidad is not traditionally top of the list for many international visitors.
Smaller island Tobago, with its tranquil beaches, enjoys the benefit of tourism while bigger Trinidad relies more on oil and gas to drive its economy.
Controversial broadcaster Darcus Howe believes that the economic potential for the energy industry will be boosted by the country’s World Cup appearance.
“Trinidad is an oil emirate!” he boasted. They are floating on oil and natural gas – what else do they want? This will just add to their grand place in the world.”
However, he doesn’t believe the tourism sector will benefit greatly.
“I don’t think it will have any impact on tourism. Tobago has already almost been saturated with hotels. Trinidad has its carnivals, but there is nowhere to go in Trinidad of much significance. Barbados is the place to go for tourism."
But Forde thinks differently: “The government has been putting a lot of emphasis on tourism and has made an increase in terms of funding and marketing of the tourism industry. We have already had an increase in tourism from the European sector, so now we have a chance to brand the country globally. We expect there will be an increase in hotel accommodation, increase in people selling goods, and developing more in Tobago. It will have a phenomenal influence on the tourism sector.”
Forde believes that the position of soca music could also be improved.
Trinidadian soca has traditionally struggled to achieve the same level of recognition as reggae in neighbouring Jamaica.
While the country is hoping to boost its tourist sector, concerns remain about the impact of local crime on the islands’ image internationally.
There were over 300 murders in Trinidad last year.
A recent crime plan has used the buzz surrounding the team’s success to encourage local criminals to participate in a national gun amnesty.
The Football Gun Amnesty Plan aims to use the victory of the team to encourage gang members to change their lifestyle.
“This Gun Amnesty Plan will use whatever leverage and influence the national football side has with some of these misguided individuals. If the effort produces one positively altered life, or just a few guns, it would still have been worth it," said Jack Warner, FIFA vice president and advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago football federation.
The gun amnesty plan is based on existing plans in places such as Brazil, Canada and Iraq.
“That plan is based on the fact that many of our footballers have emerged from downtrodden neighbourhoods where drug dealers are as commonplace as vendors, and where crime is seen as a career choice," he said.
“The recent victory of our national football team has touched even the gang leaders because these gang leaders identify with the success of the players. Members of the team are quite ready to make an impassioned plea to these gangs to put down their guns, to give themselves, communities, and this country a chance."
However, there has some controversy in the local press and political circles regarding FIFA vice president, Warner, who is also the deputy political leader of the opposition United National Congress.
As head of the local football federation, Warner has been instrumental in promoting the Trinidad and Tobago football team. When the team qualified for the World Cup, he was rightly feted.
In recent weeks concerns have been raised about a possible conflict of interests.
Local newspapers have recently highlighted an agreement struck between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and Simpaul Travel. The travel agents has been chosen as the official ticket distributor for the T&T matches.
Warner is a company director of Simpaul Travel.
Local newspapers have also printed letters of complaint, and some argue that local fans interested in purchasing World Cup tickets at a street value ranging between TT$780 (£78) and TT$2,254 (£225) were told to pay TT$30,000 (£3,000).
Warner has adamently denied any conflict of interest.
He insisted that he would not apologise for “the business interests of the Warner Group of Companies".
He made it quite clear that he was acting properly.
At a recent press conference, he pleaded innocent to any wrongdoing.
“The FIFA of which I am proud to be an official has a membership of 207 countries with a cumulative population of over three billion people. Of this number, 24 persons have been selected to be on the FIFA Executive Committee of which Trinidad & Tobago has a member and a vice-president at that!
“In each of the other 23 countries, being a member on the FIFA Executive Committee is considered an honour. In Trinidad & Tobago, however, such a membership seems to be a curse! And why? It is because, in some ways, some people of this country, our country, are cruel and unkind, always bent on belittling persons who are successful, particularly persons like me."
He added that since he had “given selflessly to the cause of football", no one should “attempt to impute improper business practices and conflicts of interest to me."
In a recent press conference, he said that Simpaul Travel, a company owned by his family, held exclusive rights to Trinidad and Tobago’s 2006 World Cup tickets.
ASSASSINATION
The CONCACAF president charged that the allegations were “part of a well-timed, carefully-orchestrated character assassination, designed to devalue any political currency which opponents of the UNC feel I might have been developing as a result of the Soca Warriors' World Cup qualification."
Warner also revealed that the TTFF owed some TT$827,000 (£82,700) to Simpaul Travel, as well as over TT$500,000 (£50,000) to two other Warner family-owned companies – D Coal Pot, and the Emerald Plaza hotel.
That controversy may continue to dominate local media but it will do little to remove the patriotic fervour felt by Trinbagonians in the UK.
In a recent commentary, Trevor McDonald wrote of his support for the Trinidad and Tobago team:
“Make no mistake about it: to my fellow Trinidadians the World Cup draw which puts them in the same group as England is the stuff of dreams. Trinidad and Tobago football, for so long sport’s poor relation in a country that loves cricket, has arrived. And, begging the pardon of Messrs Eriksson and Beckham and at the risk of incurring the wrath of Lord Tebbit and his famous sporting ‘test’, I shall be rooting for Trinidad."
However controversial broadcaster
Darcus Howe adopts a different view: “I’m not allowing my head to rule my heart in terms of support. I feel as much a part of the England team with all the black boys they’ve got on the team."
Published: 11 January 2006
Issue: 1200