'Contribute what you can,' members of the organizing committee of the 'Football For a Cause' that include national football coach Dennis Lawrence, Kyle Lequay, Nadine Khan and MX Prime, are urging people, ahead of tonight's charity football match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The match, labelled 'Football For a Cause' kicks off at 7:30pm between Team Hope and Team Relief, and will feature some of the best footballers ever to have graced the football field for T&T, as well as many top athletes in their respective disciplines, such as cricket, basketball, rugby, netball, table tennis, hockey, swimming and horse racing, all in an effort to provide much needed assistance to thousands of people affected by massive flooding over the past week.
The country's first Olympic Gold medallist Hasely Crawford will attempt to roll back the years, not on the tracks but on the football field, alongside Russell Latapy, captain Lawrence, Staci Ann King (cricket) and Aasan Lewis (rugby) among others. They will be up against a star-studded team that includes Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, NAAAs president Ephraim Serrette, Aleena Edwards (table tennis) and Akim Toussaint (hockey).
Lawrence said they have, on many occasions, called on the public for support for different sporting events, but this time the call is for the people of T&T.
"When you look around and see what has happened over the past couple days, we need to pull together and help our brother and sisters, and we need to do it in the most positive way. So far the positivity has been brilliant, so we need to continue it," Lawrence said.
Carib Brewery, the main sponsors of the event has agreed to donate 100 per cent of the proceeds towards those affected, while other corporate partners such as National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) etc will contribute in other ways.
Lequay, an ex-manager of the country's beach football team, also acting as a corporate partner, said the game is more of a passionate initiative, saying as soon as they were called to action, they acted immediately. "Not only from the business community but people who are understanding of what's happening in T&T."
Lequay believes tonight will be the culmination of four days of planning and will comprise enjoyable football, entertainment from various soca and dub artists, and other forms of excitement for the public.
"Bring anything and help those in need," Lequay said.
Teams
TEAM RELIEF
Akim Toussaint, Aleena Edwards, Ancil Elcock, Anthony Wolfe, Arnold Dwarika, Clayton Ince, Clayton Morris, Clint Marcelle, Dinanath Ramnarine, Ephraim Serrette, Fiona Holder, Franz Huggins, Gary Glasgow, Gary Griffith, Janine Francois, Jeffrey Harris, Jerwyn Balthazar, Karyn Forbes, Keyeno Thomas, Kirth Davis, Lamani Clarke, Brent Sancho, Renice Boyce, Reynold Carrington, Rhea Belgrave, Ron Alexander, Russel Monroe, Stern John, Tasha St Louis, Tia Bruno, Tyronne Charles, Rayshawn Mars.
TEAM HOPE
Aasan Lewis, Adaryll John, Ahkeela Mollon, Anika Brice, Trevor Nottingham, Cherelle Thompson, Cyd Gray, Devon Jorsling, Floyd Lawrence, Dennis Lawrence, Hasely Crawford, Hudson Charles, Joseph Quashie, Kelvon Charles, Kenwyne Jones, Kerry Jamerson, Kevin Ollivierra, Kevon Cooper, Larry Joseph, Marvin Faustin, Mikhail Williams, Natasha St Louis, Leonson Lewis, Peter Granville, Ross Russell, Russell Latapy, Shawn Pouchet, Solomon Eccles, Staci Ann King, Sue Anne Cordner, Anthony Streete.