Millionaire Warriors

THE 24 members of the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors will each receive $1 million to reward their efforts at the recent World Cup, with captain Dwight Yorke getting $1.25 million. This was announced by Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday at a “Well Done” rally at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium to celebrate the team’s success.

TT coach Leo Beenhakker is also to receive $1 million.

Each of Beenhakker’s three assistants will get $250,000, as will the 16 national footballers who were not selected to go to Germany.

In addition, the 24 members of the World Cup squad were yesterday also presented with the country’s second highest national honour, the Chaconia Gold Medal by acting President Dr Linda Baboolal. Leo Beenhakker, although not a TT national, will also receive the Chaconia Gold, revealed Manning.

While Beenhakker and his three assistants will get their award in the form of cash, the footballers receive most of their reward as units in the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC). Dwight Yorke gets $1 million in UTC units and $250,000 in cash. Each squad member gets $750,000 in UTC units and $250,000 in cash. Each footballer who wasn’t selected for Germany gets $200,000 in UTC units and $50,000 in cash.

In addition Manning said Yorke, like cricketer Brian Lara, will become a sports ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago and hailed him as “His Excellency Dwight Yorke.”

Manning warned the players that while they are now strong and in the limelight, time would eventually take its toll on them and so they should be careful with the rewards now being given to them.

“Save Warriors, save. Save like Shaka Hislop and Kelvin Jack.”

To this end, he said he has asked Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams to arrange a workshop in money management for the players.

Manning hailed the Warriors for having scored five figurative “goals” for this country at the World Cup.

Perhaps the most important goal that the Warriors scored, he said, was not on the fields of Germany but right here in the hearts of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. “The prevailing view is that never before has this diverse society been so unified in a common cause.” He said that in supporting the Warriors, the country had moved as one. “People of all races, classes, political and religious persuasions had one common emotion written across their faces as they spoke, thought and witnessed the performance of the team.” This emotion, he said, was love for Trinidad and Tobago. “All other reactions stemmed from that love, which today continues to prevail.

“Football has therefore succeeded where other efforts have failed.”

The Warriors had given a lesson to all who aspire to public life. “Be as honest, committed, devoted, competent and loyal in your endeavours as a Soca Warrior, and you will win the hearts of all people of this plural society.”

Manning listed four other goals scored by the Warriors, Firstly, they had made the name of Trinidad and Tobago known internationally.

Secondly, they had shown that being the smallest country is not an impediment to human endeavour and shown the class and character of this nation. “We are capable of being among the best.” Thirdly, the Warriors had made room on the world stage for the cultural contingent visiting Germany.

Fourthly, they had promoted interest in Trinidad and Tobago by international investors.

Manning praised Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) head, Jack Warner, without whom the team might not have made it to Germany.

He said he wanted to see Trinidad and Tobago qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which he believed we could win. Saying the Warriors had shown we could do it, he said, “Don’t we owe it to them to eventually bring that great prize to Trinidad and Tobago?.” He invited Yorke, Beenhakker and Warner to discuss how the Government could help on the road to South Africa.

Dwight Yorke thanked the audience for their support of the Warriors. “It’s fantastic to see you all come out today to give your support as we stand as one nation.” He said the Warriors had answered persons who had doubted them. “We are a team who wanted to prove we belong on the world stage.”

He thanked the team’s support staff who he said are often overlooked in getting due praise. He praised Jack Warner for his role.

“Playing against England, Sweden and Paraguay,” said Yorke, “the most important thing was to see our national anthem played in front of so many people around the world.” The crowd cheered Yorke.

Fans later cheered loudly as each squad member went on stage to receive his medal from Dr Baboolal.