Shaka touched by tributes.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Shaka donates testimonial cash to charity
Shaka Hislop expressed his appreciation to the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League and the nation's football fans after his official send off on the weekend in the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup-a four-team mini-tournament played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Hislop, 38, brought his 15-year professional career to a close over three months ago when a recurring back injury prompted his premature retirement from his contract with FC Dallas of United States Major League Soccer (MLS).
Hislop, once Britain's most expensive goalkeeper after a $23 million move to Newcastle United, became one of England's most respected players during stints at West Ham and Portsmouth, while he was also honoured for his anti-racism work off the field.
However, he said the most treasured memory in his career was hearing the national anthem before kick off in Trinidad and Tobago's opening Germany 2006 World Cup game against Sweden in Dortmund.
The six foot five custodian produced a superb display in an historic goalless draw for the "Soca Warriors" against Sweden. His efforts clearly did not go unrecognised.
"I have had 15 fantastic years in football and to go out like this is very special," Hislop told the Express. "I feel very honoured and I was really taken aback by some of the tributes, particularly the kind words expressed by callers while I was on various radio and television programmes over the past few days."
There was a tangible award for Hislop, too, as the Pro League offered him a cheque worth $100,000 for his retirement fund. In a gesture typical of the big man, he distributed the money to various charities within seconds.
Thirty thousand dollars will go to the Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT)-he is honourary president of the fledgling organisation-while a similar sum goes to the Cotton Tree Foundation and a Tobago charity still to be determined.
The remaining $10,000 will be given to a coaching school in his old neighbourhood on Pearl Parkway, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin.
Hislop played 15 minutes for FC Dallas and ten minutes for the local Pro League All Star team on Sunday in the closing fixture of the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Three minutes after entering the match, the lanky goalkeeper was already scooping the ball from the back of his net, although he saw the funny side of Defence Force striker Devon Jorsling's goal, which was skillfully created by Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA winger Hayden Tinto.
"I was thinking, 'geez, I haven't touched the ball yet'," said Hislop, who did not train for three months before the weekend competition. "I found myself a bit exposed but it was a really well worked goal. I just had to laugh.
"I really enjoyed myself, though."
Hislop did better when he joined the Pro League outfit in the second half and he helped the hosts hang on to their slender 1-0 lead with a fine reflex save to deny Dallas and Colombian star midfielder Juan Toja.
Hislop expressed his desire to help his compatriots after his retirement and has already begun to do so through FPATT. He described the performances of the Pro League teams as encouraging.
"You have to credit the Brazilians for the standard of their football, which was a lesson to the other teams," he said. "But, given the overall results, I think it showed that the Trinidad and Tobago players are well equipped to cope with the MLS."
Even in retirement, Hislop's considerable frame and reputation remain at the service of his fellow countrymen.
