Warriors store in Chaguanas

According to Felix Hernandez of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, FIFA is the largest organisation in the world.

“To be a member of FIFA is in itself an achievement and to be among the last 32 taking part in the World Cup in Germany is a bigger achievement,” said Hernandez.

He made the remarks while addressing a gathering at the formal opening ceremony of the Soca Warriors Retail Outlet at Graphix Advantage Limited, Mulchan Seuchan Link Road, Chaguanas on Friday.

Hermamdez said he did not think that the people of Trinidad and Tobago really understood the importance and significance of being involved in the World Cup/

If not, he said, much more resources would be pumped behind the Soca Warriors entry into the Finals.

Hernandez also took a swipe at the leaders in the country

“They are naive as we are the smallest country and when you consider that we have done this in the face of escalating crime it is really a distinguishing feature,” he said.

“You cannot quantify the benefits that would accrue to the nation by being part of the 32 countries in Germany,” he said.

The Soca Warriors will play Peru on May 10 in Port-of-Spain and already large contingents of prominent organisations and overseas visitors have been making arrangements to be in the country to ensure international coverage for over 70 countries.

The visitors also want to be part of the road show that has been planned for the Soca Warriors throughout the country and ending in the Borough of Chaguanas.

Hernandez reminded the gathering that the Warriors would also be touring Tobago and will be guests of the Tobago House of Assembly on May 11. “Everybody wants a piece of the action as far as the Soca Warriors are concerned, as we are the envy of the world,” he said.

He stressed that since November 17 last year politicians had been promising help. “And we are yet to receive,” he said.

He said that Jack Warner, a FIFA vice president had mortgaged his assets to a bank to ensure that the national football team got the opportrunity to play in the World Cup.

Kurtis Rudd, Marketing Manager of Prestige Holdings also adressed the gathering in Chaguanas.

“By being the smallest nation ever to make it to be World Cup Finals, we have opened the door for a number of opportunities for our nation to expose itself on the world scene and get the kind of international promotional recognition for which we could never pay,” Rudd said.

He said that KFC was among the first corporate citizens who supported the national footballers “in cash and kind every step of the way and our support remains as strong as ever.”