Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under 20 footballers have been afforded the same or maybe even better facilities than upcoming friendly opponents Australia United States and for their final leg of preparations for the upcoming FIFA Under 20 World Cup.
Based at the Olympic Lagoon Resort and training daily at the GMG Kiniras Sports Centre, T&T’s stay is being overlooked by GMG Special Interest Tourism and UEFA licensed match agent and former professional player George Gregoriou who has worked hand in hand with head of delegation Cheryl Abrams and manager Chris De Silva to ensure a smooth stay thus far.
In 2002, GMG was appointed as official UEFA match agent, resulting in the focus on European football, but subsequent local training of athletes and swimmers became paramount before the Olympic Games in Athens.
GMG operates on a request basis, building tailor-made programmes based on its excellent relations with Cypriot hospitality and tourism organisations to guarantee the best value for money and outstanding accommodation and facilities for any size of group, any time of the year.
The Kiniras Sports Centre, with its European UEFA standards infrastructure, has every necessary provision to ensure that you enjoy efficient and excellent training. The centre also has the advantage of a UEFA Match Agent (George Gregoriou) and experienced multi-lingual staff to guarantee a problem-free stay with top quality facilities and the highest level of professionalism.
GMG have also looked after the likes of Chelsea, Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht in the past.
Gregorious said he was most happy to assist the Caribbean visitors.
“Of course we are very busy this week because the United States, England and Australia teams are also visiting but I am very pleased to be affiliated with the Trinidad and Tobago team and we will make every effort to ensure they have a good stay that is worth every moment in their preparations for the World Championship,” Gregorious told TTFF Media on Monday.
Word is that the training ground being used by T&T might even be in better condition than where the USA team is trainining.
“Well of course we are anxious about being here. These are very good facilities for a team that is preparing for a competition. The weather has been good and the playing surface is also very good. Throughout the tour we have had the chance to work in good facilities and I am happy that the boys have been afforded this opportunity once more,” Vranes told TTFF Media.
TTFF Special Adviser Jack Warner said he was joking by no means when he spoke of the TTFF’s efforts to ensure that the team was afforded high grade preparation before they take on Egypt in Alexandria on September 24.
“I meant it when I said that we would try our best to give the team the best possible preparation.
"Of course everything that happen as we would like but so far the team has been receiving good treatment and have had the chance to train at some excellent facilities and they have also played some warm up matches. They will get a couple more warm up matches against top quality opposition before the tournament starts later this month. There has been the obvious disappointment of us not making it to South Africa in 2010 but all is not lost and our continuing aspirations towards future World Cup begins now,” Warner added.
The T&T team had two more sessions under humid conditions on Monday but there have been no complaints as Vranes has impressed upon his players that similar conditions are expected in Alexandria and Cairo for the matches during the Championship
T&T are carded to play friendlies against Australia and USA on Thursday and Friday respectively.