The mission to nowhere

And what is the purpose of this travelling Trade Mission to Europe and Dublin Island?

Well, it is being undertaken to promote trade, and encourage investment in TT, using our Soca Warriors’ popularity at the World Cup in Germany, some three months ago, as the attraction for this trade and investment. What nonsense is this? Why is Ken Valley fooling himself (surely no one else could believe in this?) that Europe is still studying World Cup 2006, far less the appearance of TT at that event? Europe, and the rest of the world, has moved on. Any interest anyone there may have in football at this time is directed at their domestic leagues, UEFA Champions’ League, and qualification matches for Euro ’08 — the European Nations’ Cup. With due respect to the charm we brought to Germany ’06 — on the field, and with our last-minute, minimal cultural presence, and our fete-ing in the streets — all that is now past. No one in Europe talks about that, indeed no one even talks about any of the games, including the Final. Who was that who head-butted whom in the Final?

For Trinidad and Tobago to seek to exploit, at this late stage, our popularity in Germany last June, is like a carnival bandleader taking his band across the Savannah stage on Ash Wednesday morning.

Almost a year ago, when we had just beaten Mexico to qualify for the matches against Bahrain, I wrote a column titled “BEYOND BAHRAIN?” I asked government, and the business community, what plans they were making to exploit our country’s impending presence at the World Cup 2006. I described what Jamaica had done in France ’98, when they took Reggae and Red Stripe to France, and mounted Jamaican Trade Exhibits and concerts throughout France for the duration of the Reggae Boyz presence there. Of course, we in TT totally ignored the advice and, refusing to understand the opportunity provided for “Branding” Germany with TT products and culture, sat back and did virtually nothing.

The invitation for TT to take part in the International Carnival in Berlin-preceding the World Cup, was ignored. The invitations of Dortmund, Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern, the cities for our matches, to mount Carnivals on their streets, was virtually ignored, with Government’s “Cultural Contingent” giving us a wine for a couple of hours before each match. The invitations to set up Trade Exhibits in Germany, while the Soca Warriors were there, were also ignored. I accept that Angostura, and the Tourism Development Company did their bit; Angostura wisely going on their own, with their own performers and concerts. The TDC apparently had a booth, somewhere in the three cities, on match day only. But a TT presence at the Fan Fests, where all the other countries were, was nowhere to be seen. And what happened over there was that TT, who was asleep in the lead-up to the World Cup, awoke with a start in Germany and recognised that the whole world was actually-yes, actually adoring TT-our country, the country we love to hate, the country we are so embarrassed to praise, the footballers whom we mockingly predicted “would get ten goals.” And, in belatedly recognising that we had something of value to promote, and in which to express our pride, were left scrambling at the station, while the train pulled out without us. Hence the announcement of a Trade Mission, in September, to catch a dream experienced last June.

One wonders what the forward-thinking Europeans think of this quaint idea. I can just imagine the quizzical expressions when they are told of the purpose of this mission: “The World Cup, you say. But wasn’t that some time ago?” The Germans, especially, may wonder why we did not bring this mission to Germany FOR the World Cup, when they invited us. Good questions! I asked a member of the TTMA executive why they did not mount a Trade exhibit in Germany during the World Cup. I was told that it takes two years to plan such a mission, and “two years ago the Team did not look good.” Well, thanks a lot, and do take note that when Jamaica qualified for France in November 1997, they were able to mount exhibits throughout France just seven months later. How come? Because Jamaicans look for opportunities while we look for excuses. That is why we missed the chance in June, and are now trying to connect our trade and culture to an event which is history.

We saw that Mr Valley stated that Jack Warner would be welcome to join the mission. Is that an invitation, and what might Jack’s role be, should he “join” it? Then the Minister announced that he wants Dwight Yorke to be released by his Club to join the mission. Well, I hope that Dwight stays where he is-and for more than just football. Dwight is sponsored by TSTT, as is the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. Since Mr Valley also announced that TSTT rival Digicel, will be assisting in the investments in Dublin (assuming that Digicel know where Dublin Island is), this could pose problems for Dwight and TTFF.

It might have been a good idea to discuss this mission with TTFF, and incorporate the existing, bona-fide sponsors as first choice participants, but I doubt that has been done. I suspect the participants will include those companies which never supported the Journey To Germany, but now hope that they can cash in on it. My one hope is that this Mission To Nowhere might at least enlighten us to be ready to place our country in South Africa during the World Cup 2010, and not three months after it is over.