(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s senior football team, including the technical staff were handed cheques for outstanding salaries and fees to the value of an estimated $10 million yesterday at the Office of the Prime Minister at St Clair Avenue.
It was the delivery of a promise the Government made to defray those expense on the eve of the Caribbean Cup final between T&T and Jamaica when the players threatened to boycott the match in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
T&T eventually lost 4-3 on kicks from the penalty mark.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar presided over the cheque distribution to the players and staff that included T&T captain Kenwyne Jones and head coach Stephen Hart , who had gone unpaid for over eight months.
“I am very happy to make this contribution towards your expenses, (that is) duly deserved and well earned. Regrettably, it has come after the fact, however I had asked the Minister (of Sport Dr Rupert Griffith ) to approve these monies several weeks ago, but given the way the accounting system works, it took some time to process and have the cheques ready ,” said Persad-Bissessar, who interrupted her Cabinet meeting to take part in the distribution.
She added: “I want to congratulate all of you, your captain and your team and your coaches of course for keeping the red, white and black flying high and for making us very,very proud.”
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Sheldon Phillips said the Government’s investment had paid off with the men’s and women’s teams returning to the world top 50 ranking and the youth teams advancing in their tournaments.
Phillips also looked forward to recreating the oneness and commonness of purpose reminiscent of the Road to Italy 1990 campaign for the December 2 Women’s World Cup qualifying match between T&T and Ecuador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Meanwhile, captain Kenwyne Jones thanked the Prime Minister and her government for “stepping in and taking care of the situation.
“It has been a tremendous relief to the players , the technical staff and the coaches,” said Jones, who had signalled the Soca Warriors’ intent to forego the CFU final Tuesday. “We hope this investment would propel us to perform to the best of our abilities.”
Jones also thanked former Soca Warrior Brent Sancho for his role as an intermediary in facilitating the settlement of the debt.
Minister of Sport Rupert Griffith said: “We are glad that we could be involved with your success with the way forward..We are looking forward to the Gold Cup and we know you all will continue to do us very proud.”
Players and staff who received cheques yesterday:
Kenwyne Jones, Alvin Jones, Andre Boucaud, Ataullah Guerra, Aubrey David, Carlyle Mitchell, Cordelle Cato, Daneil Cyrus, Hughton Hector, Jamal Gay, Jan-Michael Williams, Joevin Jones, Kevan George, Kevin Molino, Khaleem Hyland, Lester Peltier, Leston Paul, Marvin Phillip, Yohance Marshall, Adrian Foncette, Shahdon Winchester.
Staff: Stephen Hart, Derek King, Hutson Charles, Michael Maurice, Peter Rampersad, Sean Fuentes, William Wallace.
