TTFF praises the Government for its efficient disbursement of awards.

BY NIGEL SIMON

The short wait for the million-dollar reward packages promised by Prime Minister Patrick Manning to the Soca Warriors came to an end yesterday.

At a welcome-home rally for the team last Saturday, Manning unwrapped a $31-million package, bringing an end to speculation on what rewards were to be bestowed upon the players for qualifying for the World Cup on November 16.

Each of the the 24 players who represented T&T in Germany received $1 million ($750,000 UTC units and $250,000 cash).

The presentation was made by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes in a brief ceremony at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

The players present to collect rewards for their historic achievement at the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany against Sweden, England and Paraguay were Aurtis Whitley, Densill Theobald, Kenwyne Jones, Atiba Charles, Carlos Edwards, Anthony Wolfe, Collin Samuel, Silvio Spann, Kelvin Jack, Jason Scotland and Cyd Gray.

Fellow national players, team captain Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, Shaka Hislop, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews, Avery John, Brent Sancho, Cornell Glen and Evans Wise were not on hand to receive their rewards.

However, they were represented by family members.

Yorke was represented by his brother, former national cricketer Clint, Latapy by his younger brother Mark, and Hislop by his father George.

Vannesa John collected on behalf of defender Dennis Lawrence, Micah Andrews for his brother Marvin, Brenda Mc Creer-Hunte for Wise and Avery John, Keith Sancho for his son Brent, and Patricia Glen on behalf of her son Cornell.

England-born duo Ian Cox and Christopher Birchall were not present and will collect their rewards at a later date, along with Stern John and goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Team captain Yorke got $1 million in UTC units and $250,000 cash. He left earlier in the week for Australia, and was issued a diplomatic passport.

In his brief address, T&T Football Federation (TTFF) second vice president Raymond Tim Kee praised the Government for its efficient handling of the presentation of awards.

“When I was told the awards would be ready for the players on Thursday, I was very happy and at the same time somewhat surprised,” he said.

“Perhaps, if this is a sign of how things will be handled now, then we can now look forward to better preparations for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

Tim Kee was quick to point out to the players, though, that if they didn’t put good use to the gesture presented to them by the Government, their rewards could evaporate quickly.

“A million dollars can evaporate in very quick time if you don’t seek financial advice,” he warned.

“I have known of too many people who have millions one day and then, the next day, they have nothing. Don’t get caught up with the fancy cars, but invest in real estate and let your wealth grow.”

Looking ahead to the 2010 World Cup, Tim Kee said:

“We at the TTFF know what we have to do and that process has already started.

“The private sector also needs to come on board from the beginning and support the team and their goals.”

Boynes made it clear that the rewarding of the members of the technical staff was still being discussed by the Government and would be made public once it was agreed by all parties involved.

UTC ready to disburse $

The Unit Trust Corporation yesterday received a cheque for just over $21 million from the Government to establish accounts in the UTC for the Soca Warriors’ reward.

UTC executive director Michael Alexander confirmed his office received the cheque from the Ministry of Finance at noon.

He said there were no terms and conditions attached to the cheque. The UTC, however, immediately acted on behalf of the team that went to Germany and those players who did not. It dispatched letters to each player through the Ministry of Sports to visit the UTC’s office to discuss personal details.

Alexander said the $21,050 million represented the reward for 38 players—24 who were part of the team in Germany and 14 others.

The footballers who represented T&T will receive units valued $750,000 while those who did not make the team will receive units worth $200,000.

Alexander said it had not been established in which of the UTC’s five investment schemes the funds would be invested. —SC

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

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