Playboyz to play TT anthem in England

WOODBROOK Playboyz Steelband will play the Trinidad and Tobago national anthem at the West Bromwich Albion Stadium, England, before the start of the match against Iraq. This announcement came from Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Austin Warner yesterday. Warner has arranged for the popular pan-around-the-neck band to travel to West Brom for the historic football friendly international on May 23. This game will mark the first time Iraq will be playing a football match since the second invasion by the United States a year ago.

English First Division Club Bristol Rovers were scheduled to play the Iraqis in the opening match of their England tour, but pulled out because of security concerns. But Yamam Nabeel, the tour’s chief event organiser said: “This maybe a blessing in disguise.” He added: “It allows us to concentrate on Iraq’s first international game on British soil against Trinidad and Tobago, the highlight of the tour to begin with, and will increase the attendance of the already high-profile game, and so increase revenue for charities and the Iraq FA.” Warner said the Iraq team, preparing for World Cup Germany 2006 qualifiers, has attracted major media interest and the game against Trinidad and Tobago is expected to draw worldwide attention, so he felt the opportunity to expose the steelband was a given one.

He said: “This match will catch the eyes of many because of its significance, the Iraqis playing their first match since the invasion, and of course because of the fact it is being played in England.” Warner said: “It’s a tremendous opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago and I felt it would only be fitting that we have the anthem played by an instrument of our own which will also serve as great mileage for the music.” Since the end of the war, Iraq have played matches in Perth, Western Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bavaria, all without security problems. The Trinidad and Tobago team under coach Bertille St Clair is expected to leave for England on May 18 for their Iraq engagement, then travel to Scotland to take on the national team on May 30.