Warner Group $$ for East football

The Warner Group of Companies, chaired by Jack Warner has agreed to sponsor the Eastern Football Association (EFA) competitions with a contribution of $400,000 over the next three years. This was revealed by Daryll Warner, Chief Executive Officer of the Warner Group at the Emerald Plaza on Thursday. Warner, son of FIFA Vice President Jack Warner said the decision to support the association came because of the group’s desire to assist in the development of local club football, particularly in east Trinidad. Young Warner also challenged other corporate bodies to join the effort by offering their support to other football associations. “When the people hear about the EFA they identify with teams such as L-Sporto Crab Connection,  Joe Public or WASA Clean and White and what we are  hoping to do now is bridge that gap and allow the smaller teams to get more involved and have more incentive to play for,” Warner said.

Also in attendance at the function were EFA President Lennox Watson, General-Secretary Neville Ferguson and members Carl Nurse and Neil Mollineau. Warner said although the EFA is played on neither a professional or semi-professional basis, the intention is to groom players to a standard which could make them capable of catching the eyes of national team coaches. “Although it’s not part of the pro league, we want to have some kind of professionalism among the teams, the players and the officials. When people come to see football in the Eastern FA competitions, they must be able to easily identify our teams, not only by the talent that is being displayed on the pitch but also off the pitch in how we carry ourselves,” Warner said. “The lesser known teams must not be left back. There is always the hope that a player will be able to force his way into a national team and we intend to provide the guys with the necessary conditions to give their best out there,” Warner said.

Association President Lennox Watson, a vice president of the TTFF, was delighted over the new deal and thanked the Warner Group for coming on board. “The support we will be receiving will have a huge impact on the running of the association and the performances of all involved,” Watson said. “We are most grateful for this and in saying that, the door still remains open for others willing to give their support not only to the Eastern Association but also the other Associations throughout the country.  The former top Prison Service officer said. The Warner Group will provide financial rewards for the EFA League, League Cup, FA Trophy and the Emerald Cup (formerly the President’s Cup). The winner of the league will take home $10,000, runners up get $5,000, third place finishers collect  $3,000 and fourth placed team will receive $2,000. The winners of the League Cup and Emerald Cup will each take home $3,000 with other rich prizes going out to the other teams.