Congratulations to Jack Warner and the T&T Soca Warriors

"Winning the World Cup is the most beautiful thing to have happened to France since the Revolution."
Emmanuel Petit

Playing in the FIFA World Cup is a special event and Trinidad and Tobago for the first time will be gracing the world football stage in Germany from June 9 to July 9, 2006. One thing is for sure- I will be going to Germany as well because I would not miss it for the anything!

On November 16, 2005, Trinidad and Tobago qualified for next year’s World Cup by defeating Bahrain by a 1 – 0 margin. That team from the Middle East deserved that defeat; they played nasty, displayed poor sportsmanship and the conduct of the squad and its supporters left much to be desired.

I must admit that whilst watching the match last Wednesday afternoon at “Gate Boys” on UWI’s southern border that I was nervous. I wanted so baldy for Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the World Cup. You must imagine the relief I experienced when the deed was done. In fact, I was the first person at the bar to relieve myself of my beer throwing it up into the air a few seconds before the end of the match. Man, it was a great feeling.

Congratulations to the Soca Warriors on a job well done. According to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, this team has managed to do what no politician has been able to accomplish and that is unite the entire nation. It was indeed a historic moment for the people of Trinidad and Tobago and I urge them to continue celebrating. It has been a long time since we had something to celebrate.

We must not forget though that we still have a World Cup to attend in seven months time. Whilst we bask in the glory of our most recent victory, we must not lose sight of the fact that we must go to the world stage committed to perform our very best and showcase the talent that we possess in this blessed twin island republic.

Government, corporate sponsors, and ordinary citizens must now rededicate themselves to ensuring that the Soca Warriors are ready to do battle come June 9, 2006. As the saying goes, “the journey now start!”

In light of our qualification for next year’s World Cup, I wish to pay tribute not only to the team members, but also to coach “Don Leo” as his Spanish fans would call him. Leo Benhakker took over coaching the national squad when they were down in the dumps, with only one point after three qualifying matches. What he accomplished with this side was nothing short of a miracle. Strategic planning, appropriate deployment of resources, practice, and foresight allowed Don Leo to guide Trinidad and Tobago towards the next World Cup. Thank you, and as you know by now, you still have a job with us.

Benhakker’s determination has been etched on all the teams he has coached over the years. From Ajax and Real Madrid to Holland and Saudi Arabia, Don Leo has made a name for himself. He is quoted as saying “A hobby is only fun if you do not have time to do it.” The 63-year-old Benhakker was an invaluable addition to our national effort.

Although several individuals played significant roles in ensuring that we reach Germany in 2006, no one did so with the dexterity, determination, and commitment that match the efforts of Austin Jack Warner, Vice President of FIFA, and Special Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation [TTFF]. No one can doubt that Warner was going to stop at nothing to ensure that we made it to the World Cup, and for his efforts, it is my belief that at the very least, he should be conferred with the Trinity Cross.

Born January 26, 1944, Jack Warner came from a humble background cutting cane, looking after pigs and walking six miles to and from school every day. He has risen through the ranks of the football fraternity whilst teaching at the Polytechnic Institute from which he retired in 1993. After growing up in Rio Claro and Longdenville, Warner was always committed to Trinidad and Tobago football. Through the good days and bad, he sought to look after the affairs of players, and the community.

From these humble beginnings, he can now boast of a net worth in excess of $50 million with real estate and businesses throughout Trinidad, Costa Rica and the United States. Instead of relaxing with his wealth, Warner chooses to give back to the nation by helping players and citizens who are in need. Wendy Fitzwilliam benefited from the generosity of Jack Warner when nobody saw it fit to sponsor her trip to the Miss Universe Pageant in Hawaii in 1998.

Despite his busy schedule, Warner still has time to interact with people throughout the country. His involvement in Carnival in Arouca has been well documented, his ownership of Joe Public known and his sponsorship of Monroe Road Cricket Club inspirational. Few people know that Warner is also multi-lingual with the ability to speak English, Spanish, and French.

Now, as President of CONCACAF, he has taken that organization from near bankruptcy to an asset base in the millions. With this wealth, Jack Warner made it his responsibility to guide Trinidad and Tobago football to where it is today. With his own money and when the Soca Warriors were down in the dumps, he acquired the services of Don Leo and look at the result. Quite simply put, we would not have made it to the World Cup without Jack.

There are many things that could be said about Jack Warner, but damn it to hell, when the man wants something done, it gets done. He deserves the Trinity Cross. We must show our appreciation to those who give of themselves to the good of the collective.

The World Cup is now seven months away, and as I said earlier, I will be there in Germany, giving total and complete support to the “Soca Warriors.” Let us stop criticizing and give the team all the support we can muster. They deserve our respect, our adulation, and our encouragement.

For a few days, we are one people. If it could have only lasted, but trust politicians to mess it up! Qualifying for the World Cup was the best thing to have happened to Trinidad and Tobago since….