PM rewards heroes today

Prime Minister Patrick Manning is planning to make a big announcement for the local heroes at a massive rally at 4.30 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

The team will be escorted by a motorcade from the Crowne Plaza to the National Stadium and some 4000 students are expected to line the route between Colville and Murray Streets on Ariapita Avenue.

Tired but happy, the Soca Warriors returned to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday night to a hero’s welcome at Piarco Airport from fans and Government officials.

Walking slowly with some one or two almost hobbling, the players looked weary after their World Cup adventure and a nine hour flight from Germany, but glad to be home. Leaving the VIP Room after a brief welcome by Prime Minister Manning, the players walked along a narrow corridor like ancient gladiators about to enter the Colosseum, towards the sound of a chanting crowd. They emerged into the airy atrium of the airport to the tumultuous din of hundreds of cheering fans, some waving flags, some blowing whistles. Fans chanted wildly at their heroes. Many families had brought their young children to see the Warriors.

Five young men held a 12-foot long banner showing striker Glen Cornell. The Warriors took in this acclaim from the balcony and then went downstairs to sit on a platform for the formalities. Russell Latapy amused all with a little jig. Fans, several times, burst into a spontaneous chant, “Sancho, Sancho!.”

Newsday earlier met the players in the VIP Room.

Saying it was great to be back home, team captain Dwight Yorke told Newsday: “I’d have loved to be in the next round. As much as it’s nice to be home, we thought we had done enough to get to the second round.”

Russell Latapy told Newsday: “It’s great to be home,” but declined to discuss the burning question of whether he should have been brought on earlier in the tournament. Cornell Glen, on crutches and with his leg in a cast, said the team thought it had done well over the past few weeks. “We do appreciate the support that the country and the fans over here have given us and it feels good to be back home.”

He said the team had just had a great flight home. “We had Stalin and Shurwayne Winchester and those guys were singing and we were enjoying ourselves.”

Cornell, whose powerful volley had smashed into the Swedish goal-post almost bringing TT its first goal, said the Warriors needed to rest. “My main priority is to rest and try to recover, and get back quick. I’m not really thinking too much about my future now, but just to spend some time with my family.” He has a two-year old child.

Brent Sancho, the defender whose hair was tugged when England scored a goal, said he now wanted to relax by lying down on a Tobago beach. “I’m looking forward to it. It was a very, very long couple of weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

He stayed mum on the subject of his possible engagement to girlfriend Jana Herbert-Fiu which the British press had reportedly said was done by text-message, a story later reported to be untrue. “I can’t talk about that right now. My concentration is just to get some rest, see family and friends afterwards, and all that will take care of itself.” Asked if he’d kept up his spirits after his own-goal against Paraguay, Sancho said: “Of course. That’s part of football. But for me personally it’s been an unbelievable experience and I’ve been able to live my dreams.” Did the team rally round to support him after the own-goal?

“It’s not about ‘rallying around.’ It’s a part of football. It happens in almost every other game.” He said the Warriors had been “a good bunch of guys. The support from friends and family and everybody has been tremendous, so for me it’s been a really God-blessed experience.”

Carlos Edwards said he was excited to be back.

“I’m looking forward to the reception.” He said his own career should get better with his British club-team Luton and he would visit them to see how things stood.

(See Page 5A)