Warrior spirit

This sends a message to these young men, and the wider society, about the need to save and invest.

Too often in our culture we hear of persons who have come into sudden wealth — whether because of a cultural product such as a piece of music, or because they win the lottery, or because they win a competition — and who, a few years or even mere months later, have returned to their previous state.

One reason for this is the need to show off by buying expensive items; the other is a lack of understanding of how an economy works, or an historical mistrust of business, which discourages people from investing their money.

This is one reason why Prime Minister Patrick Manning has mandated the country’s highest financial official, Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams, to arrange a workshop on money management for the Warriors.

These young men now stand as exemplars to other young persons in the nation, who must learn that proper investment of even small sums when you are young adds up to a considerable amount later on in life. And Mr Williams’ main message over the past few months has indeed been about thrift and sensible spending.

But money is only one aspect of the rewards given to the Warriors. In his speech at Saturday’s rally, Mr Manning said, “The prevailing view is that never before has this diverse society been so unified in a common cause.” The flying of flags over the past months has indeed given citizens a taste of what it is like to be a nation. And, while achieving that status in real, as distinct from merely sporting, terms means serious institution-building, the emotive foundation has been laid by the Soca Warriors.

It is in the aftermath of this euphoria, however, that the true challenge comes. The next specific football goal is clear: to reach South Africa in 2010. But we cannot, as a society, focus on that limited objective only.

Football organisations, as well as other sporting areas, must become more organised in order to ensure that the athletic talent that Trinidad and Tobago has in abundance comes to the fore.

In economic terms, this country may have a comparative advantage in athletics, which means that producing world-class footballers, cricketers, runners, and other champions can help create the other benefits the country needs: a sense of national cohesion; avenues for young men and women who may have no other opportunities for advancement; and a higher international profile for TT.

The Warriors’ achievements deserve to be rewarded, and these young men hopefully appreciate the national role that their skills, hard work, and fate have thrust on them. Over the past months, crime and political strife have retreated to the background, as the national football team dominated all else in the hearts and minds of citizens.

The best legacy citizens can give back to the Warriors is not money, but a return to our real challenges with that same Warriors spirit.