Unity — The recipe for success

THE EDITOR: after having been pushed, shoved, and squeezed from all sides for close to three hours to gain entry to the football match against Bahrain, I finally sat in the National Stadium at about 5 pm and took a long, deep breath. As I looked around at the sea of red that surrounded me everywhere, and the general euphoria and harmony of all races represented there, each equipped with their flags, banners, inflated balloons and any article which represented our national colours, I was suddenly and emotionally struck with the thought: “If only we could capture this moment, harness all this energy and channel it into something positive for the country! What a powerful tool this could be for our ailing Trinidad and Tobago.

Nothing would be able to stop us!” On Wednesday, after having viewed the match on television from Bahrain and then becoming stuck in the huge traffic jam which followed from Ariapita Avenue to Port-of-Spain, I was again reminded of that very thought that had permeated my mind and my entire being at the stadium. Everyone man, woman and child were out on the pavements and streets shouting, celebrating and again waving their flags and banners to all of the vehicles passing by, whose drivers responding by beeping their horns and erupting in joy, camaraderie and utter delight in Trinidad and Tobago. Congratulations to all our TT players.

You made us proud to be Trinbagonians again. Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity to unite as one. As I continued on my way to Port-of-Spain, the majority of the school children, our future leaders, were also on the pavements and streets participating and sharing in the solidarity of this huge national achievement of our Soca Warriors. Everywhere, people from all walks of life greeted each other as brothers and sisters, irrespective of all social and ethnic barriers. We were all united as a nation. We supported our country and we wanted to carry it to the heights of football history — to play in the finals of the World Cup in Germany 2006.

For this it would be remiss of me if I did not thank on behalf of the entire population, Mr Jack Warner, who almost singlehandedly took these Warriors to historic victory, and also to the coach Mr Leo Beenhakker, who fought the fight against all odds and won. Let us use this example of a white coach and a predominantly black team, all working together with integrity, respect, discipline and determination as an unbeatable formula for success in any arena.

This can only serve to emphasise the ultimate unity and powerfully demonstrates what can be accomplished when all races and creeds rally together and with their God-given talents, are committed to work together for the success and enhancement of their country. Wake up Trinidad and Tobago! Let us not waste this fellowship, brotherhood and concern which we really feel for each other and which despite everything lie deep in our hearts. Let us put down our weapons of greed, avarice, exploitation, suicide, murder, kidnappings and crime in general and earnestly unite under our national flag.

KARLENE CHIN
Maraval