Warner gets sponsorship for U-20’s parents.
T&T Newsday Reports.
THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), in collaboration with its special advisor Jack Austin Warner and All Sport Promotions, have combined to provide support for the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 football team, who will begin their campaign in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Thursday with an opening day match against hosts Egypt.
According to a media release issued Saturday, “the TTFF has secured support, from several sources, to ensure that at least one relative from each member of the national Under-20 team will witness this country’s First Round games.”
Trinidad and Tobago will face Egypt on Thursday from 2.45 pm (TT time) in Group “A”, followed by meetings against Italy on September 28 and Paraguay on October 1.
The media release continued, “the TT Government turned down several appeals to assist the parents.
“(On August 21), the Government, through Minister of Sport Gary Hunt, announced the contribution of lap-tops to all the players on the squad.
However, to date, six members of the team have not received theirs, despite assurances from the Sports Company (of Trinidad and Tobago) to have the promise fulfilled completely.”
Accompanying the family members to Egypt today will be 14-year-old Shaquille Frame, a physically-challenged student of Vessigny High School who has been in attendance, at both a locally-staged TT Under-20 game or a training session for over a year. Frame’s trip was sponsored by Warner while All Sport, the managing company for the tour of Egypt, will sponsor Frame’s mother Mary Perreira Smith to travel to the tournament.
“This is a dream come true for my son and myself,” Smith was quoted as saying.
“I had been praying since Mr Warner announced (on August 21) that he was taking Shaquille, that I would have the opportunity to travel with him.
“As I know, he has special needs and Mr (Tony) Harford’s (managing director of All Sport Promotions) call was an answer to those prayers,” she added. “I will be ever grateful.”
In all, 45 persons will make the trek to watch the Zoran Vranes-coached team battle for glory in Egypt.