TSTT call up Soca Warriors

Trinidad and Tobago’s football “Journey to Germany” received a major sponsorship boost yesterday. Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) have dialed in a $3.5 million deal over two years, details of which were revealed at a media conference at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain yesterday. The partnership was welcomed by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation who previously had only one major sponsor — the  KFC chain of restaurants at the start of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Up to then, Football Federation Special Advisor Jack Warner had been the main financier of the team and still continues to play a pivotal role. Yesterday he expressed gratitude to TSTT for coming on board. Bernard Mitchell, TSTT’s Chief Operations Officer gave an outline yesterday of the sponsorship package. “TSTT’s agreement with the TTFF is for a two-year period, with an option to extend. During this period, TSTT will be the official telecommunications provider for the Trinidad and Tobago national football team for the duration of the World Cup qualifying campaign, and will also be the official mobile services provider for the team,” Mitchell stated.

“Whenever the team plays outside of Trinidad and Tobago, TSTT will provide roaming service and sponsorship of all calls for team management and technical staff. Our sponsorship also covers such items as salaries, team incentives, ‘Man-of-the-Match’ prizes, bonuses, the provision of mobile phones for team members and technical staff and DSL internet access to the Administrative Office,” Mitchell concluded. Warner added that the $3 million would be given in cash and would undoubtedly go a long way in ensuring a form of comfort for the Soca Warriors as they embark on the rest of the journey. He revealed that European team Azerbaijan will face TT in two warm-ups on January 22 and 24 in Trinidad and Tobago. Azerbaijan are currently in a six-team group with England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and Poland.

It was also revealed that the Ash Wednesday final round opening match against the United States will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain from 3.30 pm. All tickets will be priced at $200 and 12,000 tickets will be sold, all seating to go according with FIFA ruling for accommodation at World Cup qualifying matches. “TSTT sees the sponsorship of the Soca Warriors as a wonderful opportunity to not only give our footballers the resources they need to make the long journey to Germany but also for the nation to join us in support of our team. With our support and that of the Trinidad and Tobago public, their potential will be unleashed to an unsuspecting world and all things being equal, will take us all the way to the football stadia of Germany,” Mitchell added.