St Clair: Represent TT with pride

RECENTLY re-appointed national football coach Bertille St Clair has called on players to represent their country with greater pride. Addressing the national squad yesterday, his first meeting with them since his appointment on Friday last,  St Clair told the players: “You are not playing for me the coach but you are playing for your country. “You must be proud representatives of Trinidad and Tobago.” He spoke to the locally-based footballers at the Ken Galt Auditorium, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tunapuna. St Clair was to familiarising himself with 32-member squad including.

Reynold Carrington, Keyeno Thomas, Nigel “Croc” Pierre, Stokely Mason, Densil Theobald, Ansil Elcock, Arnold Dwarika, Jerren Nixon, Kerwyn “Hardest” Jemmott, Conrad Smith, Angus Eve, Jan-Michael Williams, Kenwyne Jones and Gary Glasgow, who is back home from professional duties in China. Also in attendance were assistant coaches Ron La Forest and Michael “Brow” Maurice, physiotherapist Zephyrinus Nicholas, team administrator Sandra Basheer, FIFA instructor Alvin Corneal and CONCACAF Director of Development Richard Braithwaite. St Clair, who is in his second stint as national coach, urged the players to be aware that they “are about to embark on a journey that will be no easy ride.” He told the footballers: “If there is any player who felt that he could not be part of the experience with the commitment and dedication required, then he should count himself out without causing conflict.”

He continued: “We are going to set goals and we are going to go at them at full speed. “The road to World Cup Germany 2006 will not be easy and we must all live the life that can take us there. This lifestyle requires all the ingredients of a committed professional and an ambassador for your country. We must live the right life and maintain proper values.” Ex-national player and coach Corneal asked the players to compare the life of an international player now to those of the past. “The former Trinidad and Tobago greats possessed qualities that those of us now must aim to emulate,” Corneal said. “There is something missing in our football personalities today. You, the players of today, must be honest in your commitment and honour as a national player,” he added. “Your appearance reflects the general image of our national team. You must be part of  our collective path to success.  “Today starts another chance for the transformation of our football and the more effort we put into it now, the more it will help our society to develop.” A similar meeting with Trinidad and Tobago players currently playing abroad is expected to be held within the next two weeks.