SOCA DOCTOR:

The technical support staff of the Trinidad and Tobago national football team is complaining of being robbed of its glory. The ten-member team who journeyed with the Soca Warriors to the 2006 World Cup at Germany, was not among those rewarded or recognised by Prime Minister Patrick Manning at Saturday’s gala ceremony held at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The team includes: manager —Bruce Aanensan, assistant manager — George Joseph, equipment managers — Ikin Williams) Esmond O’Brien; medical team — doctor Dr Terrence Babwah, physiotherapist — Zeff Nicholas, massage therapist — Wayne Lawson, trainer — Obar Gulston, chef — Cecil Wint and media officer — Shawn Fuentes.

The 24 Soca Warriors each received $1 million and the Chaconia Gold medal for their superb performances at the World Cup. Speaking to Newsday yesterday at his private office in Princes Town, Babwah, the team’s doctor for the past three years, said that it was the second occasion the support staff has been slighted.

“At the Appreciation Dinner held in honour of the Soca Warriors at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, on May 12, the team was invited to the dinner and only the football players were recognised.” Babwah added, “We feel as if we are invisible; we are not seen on the field and it seems as if our job is not recognised.”

Saying that the Soca Warriors deserved each reward they received, Babwah said, “Frankly, we certainly do not expect to be rewarded anywhere close to what the Soca Warriors were given, but we play a very vital role in the team.” He continued, “No one knows that the seven weeks we were in Germany, many players were written off because of the injuries they sustained during training and performances. It was because of the 24-hour treatment administered by us they were able to play their games.”

Recalling another incident where they were sidelined, Babwah said that while in Germany, the football players were awarded free airtime on their mobile phones, while technical staff had to pay for their telephone calls. “A team is made up of one group of people and we should all be treated fairly,” Babwah said.

Yesterday prime Minister Patrick Manning in a release said that “the matter of appropriate recognition of the technical team is being discussed with the manager of the Soca Warriors.” In receiving his medal, skipper Dwight Yorke had thanked the support staff for the work they did for the team.