Jack is now trying to use his foreign connections to pressure T&T gov't:
Warner praises Canada’s support of Under-20 W/Cup
By: T&T Guardian
FIFA vice president Jack Warner was in Canada over the weekend to witness the draw for the 2007 Fifa Under 20 World Cup.
The draw determined that the Canadian hosts will face Chile in the official opening match of the competition at the brand-new National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place in Toronto on July 1.
The official draw is always an exciting time, as the true shape of the competition is revealed and the real drama begins,” said Warner who is also chairman of the Organising Committee
We wish all the best to all of the teams, because not only do they represent the pride and promise of individual nations, they are symbols of something greater—the power of the beautiful game as a beacon of hope and understanding.”
On the occasion of the Official Draw, the Hon Helena Guergis, Canada ’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Sport, announced that the Federal Government had decided to provide a grant of CAN $4.2 million to support the Canadian Soccer Association’s efforts to host the Fifa U-20 World Cup.
Chairman Warner received this news with great pleasure and praised the government’s active support of the competition. “On behalf of Fifa, I would like to express our gratitude to the Federal Government and applaud their decision to make such a generous contribution to the Fifa U-20 World Cup,” he said.
“Governmental support is an essential component in the success of a competition of this magnitude, and this gesture clearly demonstrates that the country’s leadership is fully behind the event, which will no doubt help ensure its success.”
He added that he also spoke to Guergis to try and influence her to have similar talks with other governments in the Caribbean , particularly T&T, to influence them on the benefits of investing in sport, moreso football.
The competition, which runs from June 30 to July 22 will be played across six cities.