I could understand that, yuh make a lot of sense.
Here's my thing though. The government has consistently given money to the TTFF and we have not see where it went. The TTFF made gazillions of $$$$$$$ in every form and fashion for WC 06. Since then, the Soca Warriors have done nothing Substantial that can be said to have used up all that income.
However, approx. 1-2 years after WC 06 JW said the TTFF was broke and suspended all football except the U-17 or U 20 men. The government swooped in and saved the day with an $18 million dollar DONATION/GRANT. Since then we made a trip to Argentina, the U-20 went on their trip and outside of thos two Ican't recall any other substantial endeavors by the TTFF with our teams.
The trip to Scotland is purported to cost TT$300,000. Now lets multiply that by 6 (trips) and we should just about used up the $18 million. Yet we have not been on 6 trips that would cost us that amount of money. As was stated numerous times, the government on many occasion have been paying the technical staff of the TTFF. Therefore it begs the question,
What does the TTFF have to show for the monies that they secured via sponsors and the government?
Yeah Elan - it's kinda what I've been getting at - if the Government has been constantly bailing out the TTFF, why stop now?
We all know JW halted TTFF Funds - not because they don't have $300k, which would be preposterous - but because he don't want to spend it on what he seems to concede is a failed mission.
The Government has already allocated $18M to the TTFF - why (
IF they are) are they halting now? - Are they cutting their losses as well - or are they also conceding that the mission to South Africa is a failure?
As I said before, the government of TT has alot invested in TT Football, and that is not only monetarily. There is a huge social aspect to it as well - If you can pinpoint the one time in the 2000s when you can truly say all of Trinidad & Tobago was united, it was when we qualified and went to Germany. People forgot about crime, kidnapping, thiefing, poverty and all the daily struggles they have to deal with - there was a oneness between rich and poor. Prior to that our exuberance has been limited to other events like Lara breaking Sobers' record, Miss Universe/ Miss World triumphs, the lead up to Nov 19th, and Independence. In a small country like ours - we only move forward when we can all make personal sacrifice and find a way to work together.
JWFF has to answer to where the $18M went if they want another $300k to fund a tour. That is where the gov't can turn the tables - and broadcast it through the press. But maybe they lack the personnel with enough savvy to manouvre against the JWFF machine, because Gary Hunte simply does not cut it. If the JWFF doesn't have the relevant authority to keep them in check and everytime they complain about a lack of funds - the rhetoric and accountability of the $18M is constantly driven, brought up and played out in public - the JWFF will continue to have the upper hand and win in the eyes of the less informed majority.
