Boynes: May 10 tickets too HIGH

In a letter dated April 12 and addressed to Jack Warner, chairman of the TT/Germany 2006 Limited and Special Advisor to the TTFF, Minister Boynes appealed for the price of the tickets to be dropped.

It was announced on Monday that tickets for the match, the last opportunity to see the Soca Warriors play before they leave for the World Cup Finals, will be $500 (Covered Stands) and $300 (Uncovered).

However Minister Boynes insists that the prices of the tickets are exorbitant and unwarranted since the overall cost of staging the match was catered for in the $45 million budget submitted by the TTFF to Government and approved by the Cabinet for the team’s preparation leading up to the World Cup.

Boynes also pointed out in his letter that according to the budgetary submission, it was indicated that $2,399,565 will be derived from ticket sales and $100,000 from broadcast rights.

“However based on the sale price of $300 for uncovered seats and $500 for covered seats respectively, revenue in the approximate sum of $8 million will be realised,” Boynes stated.

“In the interest of affordability and to ensure that persons from all strata of our society have an opportunity to see their beloved heroes, the Soca Warriors in action I would very respectfully ask that the price per ticket for both stands be reviewed downwards,” Boynes urged.

He said as Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs he has also waived the rental fee for the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium for the friendly which is being billed as a “farewell match.”

The Government Minister who is an attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament for Toco-Manzanilla also refuted suggestions that Government has not supported the national football team in their quest to qualify for the World Cup Finals.

“This is clearly an erroneous statement and one which no doubt has been widely circulated.

“In the interest of accuracy I wish to reiterate that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago which acts on behalf of the citizens of the country has contributed $1.6 million to the TTFF as an initial contribution and a further $6 million towards the qualification of the Soca Warriors,” the letter stated.

Boynes stated that he has also been proactively engaged to obtain funds from state boards and corporate Trinidad and Tobago including Carib Beer ($10 million) Petrotrin ($1 million); National Gas Company ($5 million); British Gas ($250,000); bhpbilliton ($150,000).

Boynes also indicated that rental fees were waived for matches at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the qualification campaign last year which resulted in added revenues for the Football Federation.

And he reminded Warner that the recently approved $45 million budget for the Soca Warriors includes waivers of customs duties and Value Added Tax, bonuses for players and technical staff; and salaries for coaches and technical staff.

“I sincerely hope that you will be guided by this information which reflects a sterling commitment on the part of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago to contribute to the development and promotion of football and in particular to support our Soca Warriors in their historic quest for further fame and glory in Germany 2006,” Boynes ended.