UNC give footballers $100,000

Panday and a high-profile contingent, including Wade Mark, Tim Gopeesingh and Chandresh Sharma made the presentation at the UNC headoffice at Melville Street, Port-of-Spain.

President of the Football Federation Oliver Camps received the cheque accompanied by team manager Bruce Aanensen and Peter O’Connor, TTFF Marketing Manager.

Camps gave the assurance that the money will go a long way in assisting in the World Cup drive.

Panday told the gathering that once the country is united, then the sky is the limit for the nation.

He added that the UNC feels that the sport of football is one area from which the country can be united.

He said the financial assistance will be used by the football federation for football in general, adding that it is hoped that the country does well in the World Cup in germany next year and thereby enhance the unity of the country.

Panday was also asked about Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s decision to hold talks with national captain Dwight Yorke before deciding on what the players are expected to receive for their World Cup qualification.

"I would have thought that the football federation would have been the ideal ones to talk too concerning rewarding the players," Panday said yesterday.

He said the players must be made extremely comfortable and should not have to worry about survival.

Panday called for more facilities so that Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen would continue to improve and qualify for more World Cup tournaments.

Panday told the media yesterday that the financial contribution to the footballers was made possible courtesy a group of friends of the UNC.

Camps also called on corporate Trinidad and Tobago to come on board as it will cost the team a lot of money to go to the World Cup and give a good showing.

He said he was happy that the team was able to pull the country together following its achievement.