T&TEC AND CROWNE PLAZA ASSIST SOCA WARRIORS
(socawarriorstt.com)28 Apr 2006
Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Special Adviser Jack Warner heaped praises on the Issa Nicholas and the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission for their joint contribution of TT$450,000 at a media conference at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday.
But Warner, a CONCACAF President, still spoke out at the lack of sufficient financial backing for the “Soca Warriors” as they count down the days before the opening Group B match against Sweden in Dortmund.
Chairman of the Issa Nicholas Group of Companies, Mr Nicholas himself presented Warner with a cheque valued at $200,000 on behalf of the Crowne Plaza which was dubbed by Warner as the official hotel of the Soca Warriors and extent the TTFF, and moments later he received a further $250,000 from T&TEC as the electricity company offered its late but never the less much appreciated assistance. T&TEC’s corporate communications manager Dennis McComie said his company was committed to offering its support to the team and by extent the development of the country through sports, moreso football.
The national team has stayed at the Crowne Plaza for all of its home 2006 World Cup qualifying matches and friendly international games during the journey and T&TEC further proposed to assist by providing funds for the National Under 15 Championship as well as the 2006 Secondary Schools Football League. They will also sign up endorsement deals with five players (Chris Birchall, Silvio Spann, Stern John, Cyd Gray and Aurtis Whitley) of the T&T World Cup squad. The Hotel will also accommodate several media representatives from as far as China, Sweden, England, Germany, Scotland and Peru who will be in the country for the May 10 friendly against Peru.
“I wish I could have come here this afternoon and say that we have all the money we need. I wish I could have said that the team will be happy and feel comfortable based on what we have received today from here as well as from low. I wish that I could have come to tell you that we would not need any more financial assistance but we need only your prayers, your hopes and your aspirations,” Warner said.
He added that up to this day not a nickel nor cheque has been received from the Government following its announcement of a $45 million hand out to the TTFF for the “Soca Warriors” appearance at the World Cup earlier this month. Warner called it an irresponsible press release by the authorities.
He added that head coach Leo Beenhakker and his coaching staff were paid their salaries for this month and that the team staff will receive its qualifying bonuses amounting to one million before month end with the players already receiving theirs.
“Last Sunday at a LOC meeting it was said that we have to pay $6 million by the next day,” Warner added. ‘We were able to pay half of that and we have until Friday to pay the rest,” referring to bills concerning the team’s preparations and participating in Germany.
“Is it right for our footballers to be denied assistance based on the success they have brought?” Warner asked. “ I know I have done almost every evil thing possible to some people, organizations, and some parties, real or imagine. But football has not and therefore don’t use me as the vehicle to punish the football,” Warner said. He mentioned that skipper Dwight Yorke told him on the weekend that he arrives here on May 3 and will be meeting with dignitaries and officials in Tobago and asked “Jack what to do?” but his response was to follow his conscience as any advice from him would be termed politically motivated.
Warner did say that the TTFF can now boast of having paid off all its owes and that he will go to all lengths to ensure the team was not found wanting of any finances or any other tool when it takes on the likes of England, Sweden and Paraguay in June
Photos show Warner receiving cheque from T&TEC mascot and then from Issa Nicholas on behalf of the Crowne Plaza
