Hyundai Goodwill Ball takes to the road

And yesterday at a launch of the Hyundai Goodwill Ball Road Show at Neal and Massy Showroom, Lady Young Road, Morvant, President George Maxwell Richards was first to affix his signature on the ball, along with several present and past national footballers of different eras, and other local sporting heroes.

President Richards was described as the most ardent Head of States supporter who made the long journey to Bahrain for the final World Cup qualifier which the Soca Warriors won 1-0. FIFA vice-president Jack Austin Warner told President Richards because of his patriotism towards the team he has made arrangements for special treatment to be afforded him in Germany, on behalf of FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter.

Among the signatories were the country’s first World Cup captain Sedley Joseph, ex-nationals Bobby Sookram (1966), Everald "Gally" Cumming and Selris Figaro (1973), the team which scored five goals and lost to Haiti 2-1 in a final qualifier, Marvin Faustin (1989 "Strike Squad"), cricket’s triple world record holder Brian Lara, hammer thrower Candice Scott and Trinidad and Tobago’s only Olympic gold medallist, Hasely Crawford, who won the 100 metres dash in Montreal, Canada, 1976.

Also inscribing his name on the ball was Neal and Massy Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bernard Dulal-Whiteway, chairman Earl Boodasingh and of course Warner, who told the gathering that the ceremony is indicative of the legacy that his past friend Peter Stone has left.

The ball will be taken across Trinidad and Tobago for signatures by members of the public starting in the sister isle soon.

According to Warner it is obvious that everyone cannot be in Germany for the World Cup, but the signatures on the ball will be among others from the 31 participating countries, which will be on display at the opening ceremony. According to Boodasingh, the ball of each of the participating teams will also be on display before and during matches in the tournament. The ball will be visible for the first time in Dortmund when Trinidad and Tobago open their campaign against Sweden, June 10.

It will also be in Nuremburg when the Soca Warriors face England, June 15 and again in Kaiserslautern when the country’s footballers take on South American big guns Paraguay, June 20. The ball also carries the flags of the 32 World Cup qualifiers. Dulal Whiteway said his company, through Hyundai is one of the official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup and it is only fitting that they present the country with the opportunity to sign the ball. Neal and Massy have also sponsored a couple of national footballers including defender Dennis Lawrence and midfielder Densil Theobald.

Boodasingh also revealed that his company will be funding Caledonia AIA/Fire who will now be known as N&M Caledonia AIA/Fire from the start of the new season in the Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League. Warner made it clear that Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to being the smallest country in the World Cup, will also be the country with the most signatures at the competition.

He said, it is hoped that more than 50 percent of TT fans and supporters will write their names on the ball.

"It is more than possible, since it is just half of 1.5 million people to sign as opposed to the near hundreds of millions in other countries," Warner said.

The local football livewire also urged officials to take the ball to the remote parts of Trinidad and Tobago, such as Penal and Debe, so students of more than 40 schools in the area can sign also.