Govt mum on Mandela visit

GOVERNMENT officials are yet to respond to a request to stage a joint sitting of Parliament for the visit here of ex-South Africa President Nelson Mandela. A statement is expected shortly according to the Football Federation. Both the 86-year-old Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu are expected here for a two-day visit on April 29 and 30, on their way to attend the CONCACAF Congress in Grenada on May 2. The South African duo who will be guests of  FIFA vice-president Jack Warner will also pay a whirlwind visit to sister-island Tobago as part of a packed schedule. Apart from the proposed joint Parliament meeting, a school children rally is being planned at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain but again, no word has been forthcoming from the Ministry of Education.

Despite this, however, Warner who is also the CONCACAF president, remained upbeat. “All the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure that the visit by these two South African icons is a most captivating experience,” Warner said. “While we anxiously await the approval for two of the activities on the programme, I remain upbeat over what will take place here from the time they arrive until their departure for the CONCACAF congress.” At the congress, Mandela and Bishop Tutu  will promote the South African bid to host FIFA World Cup Finals 2010. Also expected at the congress in Grenada is FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter.

Here is the proposed itinerary for the Mandela, Bishop Tutu visit:
April 29 — 9.00 am — Depart Hilton Trinidad for the Cyril Ross Home
9.30 am —  Arrive at the Cyril Ross Home
10.00 am — Depart Cyril Ross Home
10.30 am — Arrival at Parliament on the occasion for the joint sitting
11.00 am — Depart Parliament for rally at Queen’s Park Oval
11.15 am —  Arrival at the Queen’s Park Oval for rally
11.45 am — Depart Queen’s Park Oval
Noon — Lunch at the Country Club, Maraval/ Service at Trinity Cathedral by Archbishop Desmod Tutu.
1.30 pm — Photo opportunity with Mandela and specially invited guests/Archbishop Desmond Tutu rejoins the delegation
2.00 pm — Return to Hilton Trinidad
3.30 pm — Bishop Desmond Tutu leaves for the airport en route to New York for a May 1 luncheon appointment with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and rejoins delegation in Grenada on the evening of May 1.
6.30 pm — Depart Hilton Trinidad for the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence
7.00 pm — Dinner at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence
8.30 pm  — Depart Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence for Hilton Hotel
9.00 pm — Arrival at the Hilton Trinidad
May 1 — 9.00 am — Depart Hilton Trinidad for Piarco International Airport
10 am — Depart Piarco for Crown Point International Airport, Tobago
10.20 am — Arrival in Tobago
10.30 am — Arrival at Shaw Park for rally
Noon — Lunch at Lowlands, Tobago
2.00 pm — Depart for Grenada for CONCACAF Congress.