LEADING local conglomerate CL Financial, along with its subsidiary Clico and other companies, is chartering a plane to carry local football fans to Costa Rica for the World Cup qualifying match today, showing once again shown their commitment to the development and furtherance of sport, a company statement said.
The other companies involved are Angostura, CIB, CMMB, Flavorite Ltd, CL Communications, Clico Energy, Colfire, HealthNet and Home Construction Ltd.
The travelling group will include President George Maxwell Richards, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes, sportsman Brian Lara, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) Oliver Camps, the chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Company, Gerard Ferreira and the Laventille Rhythm Section which, under TSTT sponsorship, has played at all the home qualifying World Cup games. According to the statement, the group of companies believes that the charter flight will be encouraging and inspiring for the Trinidad and Tobago football team.
Andre Monteil of CL Financial was quick to support the idea particularly since national team players Cyd Gray and Aurtis Whitely are also members of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, one of the most promising and successful local football teams, the statement said.
A" football fanatic" himself, Ian Garcia, director, Clico, considered the idea a unique and historic one and said that in this initiative to motivate the team as they strive to reach the top, "Clico and CL Financial are prepared to help make Trinidad and Tobago shine".
"We are about going the extra mile to help our people fulfill their dreams by making it happen we think that this is one way to inspire our players." Garcia said, adding that CL Financial had always been an ardent supporter of sport especially in the areas of cricket and football.
In a statement yesterday Jack Warner, chairman, LOC Germany 2006 Ltd, in conjunction with the TTFF expressed thanks to CL Financial for the gesture as part of the company's continuing assistance to the development of local football.
The BWIA charter carrying 146 supporters leaves Trinidad at 2 p.m. today for Costa Rica arriving there at 4 p.m. Costa Rica time.
The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. (10 p.m. local time) and will be carried live on the NCC TV Channel.