World Cup fans

As Trinidadians and Tobagonians prepare for the “Futball-Welt-meisterschaft,” the Football World Cup in Germany in June, the German Embassy has been pretty active since the Soca Warriors qualified for the finals last November.

With just three weeks to the opening ceremony scheduled for June 7, activities at the embassy have heightened and there has been a steady trek of nationals seeking visas for Germany so they can be in the European country to support the Soca Warriors, and as well, be part of a historical occasion.

Third secretary at the embassy, Patrick Dzierzon stated this period has been the busiest for the embassy ever since it set-up base in Trinidad in 1963.

“The embassy has issued 1,811 visas so far in 2006, out of those were 1,250 visas for the World Cup. In the same period in 2005, the embassy had issued only 490 visas,” said Dzierzon adding that the hectic period began in the last few weeks with more than a hundred applications being processed every day. Dzierzon also said the embassy, on Marli Street, Port-of-Spain expects these numbers to continue to be high until the kick-off to the tournament and, so far, no application for a visa for the World Cup has been refused.

“The embassy is excited about Trinidad and Tobago having qualified for the World Cup in Germany and the huge interest that Germany has gained in this country through this event. “A time to make friends,” the official motto of this World Cup should be taken literally. “ The Germans are looking forward to welcoming friends from all over the world and we hope that the Soca Warriors and their supporters will contribute hugely to this colourful festival on and off the pitch,” he said.