Football Federation get what they want

The sum will cover the administrative and expenses associated with the qualifying matches over a three-month period up to the end of this month.

Also included are the two FIFA World Cup play-off matches between the Warriors and Bahrain (on November 12 and 16), assistance with a charter flight to Bahrain and payment for the television broadcast rights for the November 16 match in Bahrain.

FIFA vice-president and Special Advisor to the Football Federation Jack Warner made the announcement at a media conference yesterday at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

"There were times when I was a bit critical of the Government’s involvement, or lack of it," he confessed. "At that time, you would agree with me that I was correct because, up to then, the Government had given this aspect of the football $1.3 million," Warner said.

"I was saying what the truth is," he continued, "that for this part of the project, I had spent $17 million out of my funds." But Warner conceded: "We are thankful and highly appreciative of this gesture of the Government. They are prepared to retain (coach Leo) Beenhakker’s services for two to four more years to coach national teams and to (pass on his knowledge to local) coaches."

The administrative cost, as well as the sum for the qualifying matches is $7,091,200 while Government will put $2,001,800 towards the play-off matches.

The charter flight for the TT players to get to Bahrain will be undertaken at the cost of $4,400,000 while Government have also agreed to pay TV Asia the sum of $315,000 for the broadcast rights for the fixture in Bahrain.

And the CONCACAF president also gave credit to the sponsors who have thrown their support behind the team from the start of the CONCACAF World Cup Final Round qualifying campaign.

"Those five people have kept the faith from day one and believed that we would be in Germany (in) 2006," he acknowledged.

"When they came on board, there were difficult times indeed," he continued, "when other companies and sponsors, who possibly had more means and wherewithal to help us, did not. I talk specifically to TSTT, KFC, Busta, Blue Waters and Finta. To all of you, I want to say thanks," Warner added.

Also adressing the media conference was Peter O’Connor, marketing manager of the TTFF and a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) 2006 Germany Limited.

O’Connor revealed that the kick-off time for the November 12 encounter will be 6.30 pm and tickets will go on sale from November 10 at selected KFC Restaurants and Republic Bank branches.

"As we did at the last match (against Mexico on October 12), for security and logistical reasons, there will be no parking in and around the stadium for patrons," said O’Connor.

Persons working at the venue on match-day, as well as VIP ticket holders, will be allowed in the ground, while parking will be available at King George V Park, St Clair and Fatima Ground, Mucurapo.

There will also be a PTSC bus shuttle service available before, and after the match, from King George V Park and City Gate Transit Hub.

"We’ve had inquiries from advertisers in London already and how they can be involved in the match and this match will be a major event. We are going to be in front of the whole world.

"We intend, from the organisational side of it, to give the sponsors and the supporters the finest show we can and give to the world the very best of what Trinidad and Tobago can produce. The players will do the rest," he said.