Women's U-17 World Cup emblem launched in Port of Spain
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFF)“We are ready.” This was the assurance from Fifa vice-president, Jack Warner, as he gave the feature address at the unveiling of the official emblem for the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of Spain.
“I want to say that this country is as prepared as any, for this $25 million dollar event,” Warner boasted proudly. Specially invited guests were greeted by moko jumbies, fire breathers and the sound of tassa, before being treated by a number of top local acts which included H2O Phlo, Kay Allen and Denyse Plummer, the Guardian reported.
T&T will host the event in September next year and according to Warner, it will be world class. Described as a celebration of our racial differences, the emblem unveiled displayed the merging of the steelpan and tassa into one strong and dynamic form, representing cultural diversity and unity of all races. Warner expressed his satisfaction with the design. “Never before has there been any emblem of this quality in Fifa,” said Warner. “For me this is much more than a launch and an emblem,” Warner stated. “This emblem represents the fulfillment of a dream, a dream that we can now take to football pitches, a dream that we can now take to the world, an emblem that can make us proud.”
He went on: “...but more importantly, when you listen to the foolishness being spoken about ethnic cleansing in these past weeks, it makes this emblem even more significant, but I will speak more about that on Tuesday when I reach in Parliament,” he quipped.
Following his speech, captain of the Brazilian team, Aline Pellegrino, presented Warner with the famed number 10 T-shirt of Marta, the Brazilian player regarded as the best female footballer in the world. The item was autographed by the entire Brazillian team.
Also at the function was Men's Senior Team head coach, Russell Latapy, former President, Sir Ellis Clarke, UWI Spec Technical Director Dr Iva Gloudon, TTFF Technical Director Lincoln Phillips, Olympic gold medalist Hasely Crawford, President of the Brazilian Football Federation, Ricardo Texiera and US women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo.
The Express stated that Warner used the occasion of the unveiling of the emblem for the FIFA 2010 Women's Under-17 World Cup to petition corporate Trinidad and Tobago to assist with the staging of the event in this country next September.
The emblem was unveiled at a gala function, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday night , where a packed house was treated to a substantial cultural show.
The unveiling of the emblem marked the launch of the Under-17 World Cup which will be held from September 5-25, 2010. The emblem depicts the merging of the steel pan and tassa drums in one and symbolises the cultural diversity and racial unity enjoyed in T&T.
Among those attending were Ricardo Texeira, president of the Brazilian Football Federation, Brazil captain Aline Pallegrino, USA goalkeeper Hope Solo, Canadian captain Christine St Claire and former USA defender Tiffany Milbrett. Also attending were representatives of corporate T&T to whom Warner made a special appeal.
"The success of this event cannot be achieved by the Federation only. (It) cannot be achieved by the Government only, but can only be achieved by the collective efforts of all of us. And that is why I make a public plea tonight for corporate Trinidad and Tobago to come on board. Come on board at this point in time and make our burden lighter," Warner begged. "Let me ask you to go and see our team train, to give us your advice and our counsel; to help us, not when we have reached the final, but to help us now that we are training."
Warner further reminded the audience that in 2010, the Trinidad and Tobago World Cup is the only one taking place in the Western Hemisphere.
