Reward for Warriors today

Most were clad in the now familiar red tops, some were carrying toddlers in their arms and others were perched on shoulders.

Also on hand at Piarco International Airport was a delegation of high ranking Government officials led by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF).

The Soca Warriors were returning after an eventful two weeks when they left a mark in world football at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Soca Warriors drew 0-0 with Sweden in their opening match on June 10 in Dortmund; and then followed that up with extremely impressive performances despite losing 2-0 to England in Nuremberg five days later; and against Paraguay by the same margin in Kaiserslautern on June 20.

At the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport, Manning said he had spent quite some time in public life and during his political career he had been associated with the welcoming home of various categories of persons who have represented this country abroad and who have done well. And he noted that he had never before had the feeling of gratitude and achievement he had, to welcome back home the Soca Warriors.

“Win, lose or draw, what a dazzling performance that was from the Soca Warriors,” Manning said in front a gathering that also included Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of his government.

They included Ambassador Plenipotentiary Jerry Narace, Minister of Community Develop-ment, Culture and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams, Labour Minister Danny Montano, Works Minister Colm Imbert and Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Roger Boynes among others.

Today’s function will be a glowing tribute to the national footballers and Manning promised to honour them in a tangible way.

On Thursday night Shurwayne Winchester, a former Road March winner performed which was preceded by an introduction of the players by captain Dwight Yorke.

Today’s ceremony will begin with a procession from the Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, along Ariapita Avenue to the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

However defender Brent Sancho pointed out that as a professional footballer has said he will leave the reward up to God and the Prime Minister. He made it clear that just being given the opportunity to represent the country at the World Cup is a dream come true.

“Being able to represent my country at the World Cup is a dream come true. I have lived my dream and have been tremendously blessed,” Sancho said.

The outstanding defender whose heroics were dampened by an own-goal against Paraguay last Tuesday, said the Germany experience is an indication that Trinidad and Tobago can perform on the world stage. He stressed that the main focus now should be to develop the youths to continue what has been started now that the Soca Warriors have shown that they can perform on a world level.

“It is now up to the Government, private sector and the football federation to maintain that level of impetus and keep the support going,” Sancho said.

“Now that we are on the world stage everyone is expecting a lot from us and it is important that we show that our qualification was no fluke and we can continue to do that again,” he said.

Goalkeeper Shaka Hislop said it is important for Trinidad and Tobago to build on the achievements of the team at the World Cup.

“Just how we will build on it will be solely up to the powers that be,” Hislop said.

He added that the little twin-island republic, with a population of just about 1.3 million has caused a major ripple in world football and are in a good position to build.

He said the opening match against Sweden was where the Soca Warriors basically announced themselves on the football stage in an impressive manner.

“Everyone expected the other teams in the group to run up the scores and goals on us, but we surprised Sweden, and all of a sudden people had to take us seriously,” he said.

Hislop who learnt of the death of his uncle at the airport said the team was also tremendous in the way they accepted defeat which had a huge impact on the German fans. This he said was impacted in the way Trinidad and Tobago were accepted by not only the public back home, but also by fans from the host country and all over the world.