Mortgage payment vs football

I have attended more than 90 percent of all TT matches since the early 1980’s, and although I was one of those who got caught up in the 1989 fiasco, I still continued to attend the subsequent TT matches — even when they were struggling to make it to the final rounds. I am also one that did not complain about the prices of the Bahrain ticket as those tickets could have been sold for more as that match was a critical deciding qualifying match, especially coming after a top class performance against Mexico.

However, I cannot see how the high prices of the Peru match could be justified, especially given the intervention of Government and its $45 million budget. This match amongst other things is supposed to be a moral boosting farewell for the team.

Even if they wish to charge $600 for the covered stands how can the TTFA in good conscience justify charging $300 for the uncovered stands for a practice match? Where would the long standing supporters from the poorer areas of Trinidad and Tobago come up with that type of money? It would cost a family of four the equivalent of a month’s rent or mortgage installment to see a practice match.