Jack yet to submit budget

GOVERNMENT appears to be becoming increasingly impatient with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation concerning assistance for the national team leading up to the World Cup Finals in Germany next June. Yesterday, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes again wrote to president of the TTFF, Oliver Camps reminding him of the necessity of an early response to a request for a budget which will guide Government’s assistance for the team’s preparation. Yesterday’s letter, which was copied to local media houses by the ministry, was the second such missive sent to Camps following the initial commitment to help the Soca Warriors on November 24. Minister Boynes had met with Camps, Special Advisor to the TTFF Jack Warner — who is a FIFA Vice-President — and Richard Groden, secretary of the Football Federation to discuss Government’s involvement in the World Cup campaign.

This followed the national team’s historic qualification for the World Cup Finals on November 16 when Trinidad and Tobago defeated Bahrain 2-1 in a two-match home and away play-off. The top level talks between the TTFF and Minister Boynes were also spurred by sharp criticism from Warner of Government’s lack of interest in providing funding to help the team, in the CONCACAF qualifying campaign throughout the year and the upcoming World Cup Finals. Warner has said he spent $17 million of his personal furtune to keep the team in contention and reportedly paid Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker and his staff from his own pocket. However Government’s promise to provide funding has been prefaced by the stipulation that the TTFF must provide in detail the expenditure to be incurred for the team’s preparation and technical staff requirements which must take into account projected revenue.

This was stated in the December12 letter to Camps in which Boynes reminded that the TTFF had indicated that they would be in position to fulfil the requirement of the ministry after the draw for the World Cup Finals on December 6. The letter further stated that Government needs the budget in an attempt to ensure that it fully supports the national team in a timely manner to do Trinidad and Tobago proud at the World Cup. Following the submission of the budget, Minister Boynes had promised to meet the TTFF officials again for further discussions. However December 6 has come and gone and the TTFF detailed plans of income and expenditure is yet to be presented to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Boynes stated yesterday. In his latest correspondence to the TTFF president Boynes reiterated Government’s commitment to support the national team and observed that “time is of the essence” and urged the speedy submission of the required information.

Following the initial meeting on November 12 between the TTFF and Minister Boynes, Warner stated that he had no problem with providing a statement of income and expenditure and promised to satisfy the request of Minister Boynes. He further revealed that it would take close to $30 million to adequately prepare the team for the world’s biggest football stage. The TTFF already stands to gain US$1.5 million for each of their three Group “B” matches against Sweden in Dortmund (June 10), England five days later in Nuremburg; and against Paraguay on June 20 in Kaiserslautern. FIFA, the world governing body for football is also contributing handsomely to the 45-member contingent’s accommodation and upkeep while in Germany. Also the team has benefited from a lucrative sponsorship deal with German sportswear company Adidas who earlier this month signed a US$13M four-year contract with the TTFF.

On Tuesday, the Independent newspaper in England did an extensive interview with Trinidad and Tobago defender Dennis Lawrence whose spectacular goal against Asian Zone qualifiers Bahrain in Manama last month sealed his team’s spot in the World Cup Finals. It was stated in the Independent report that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has agreed to give each player on the team ?60,000 and a plot of land for their historic achievement — the smallest national to reach football’s grandest stage for the first time This however could not be confirmed last night.