Former England International John Barnes believes that qualifying for the 2006 World Cup will be a powerful tool in eradicating the problem of crime in this country.
“I went to Rwanda in the mid 90s and it was amazing to see what football did to that country and shows how powerful a tool football is. So if Trinidad and Tobago can qualify for the World Cup, it will have an impact on the society, the whole environment and everything else that is this country,” Barnes told TTFF Media.
“Qualifying for a World Cup will definitely have an impact on crime in this country. Football is a wonderful distraction and this is where you tend to get the kids to stray into something that is positive. Football can take the guns away so success in football will have a major impact on Trinidad and Tobago,” added Barnes who played alongside CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
But while it was easy to put words across, Barnes noted that the task ahead seemed like a mountain climb for T&T and as such, total support would have be the order of the day and it must be a long term one.
“It’s a difficult goal at the moment and the most important thing is that the team and the entire country hold that belief that you can qualify for the World Cup. And continuing support is probably the most important thing from the companies, the sponsors, the Government and the man in the street. And after the next World Cup whether you qualify or not, there must continue to be that sort of football because looking back at Jamaica, you could see that drop in interest after Jamaica failed to get to the 2002 World Cup.”
He also had some advice for the “Warriors” as they prepare to get the ball rolling again under new coach Leo Beenhakker.
“The coach is the most important man. You have got to listen to what he says. I know Leo Beenhakker but I didn’t know Bertille St Clair and looking back at Jamaica, unfortunately it took a Brazilian to get the players to do the right thing in terms of being disciplined and committed and playing the right football. Now Leo Beenhakker is a fantastic coach and I’m not saying that the players here are not committed and not trying to work. But with the talent we have here, there is obvious need to do better for ourselves.
“Greece winning the European Championship for me was the biggest plus for the smaller teams like Trinidad because it shows that you don’t need to be the best players but once you have the right attitude and commitment with good guidance then you can achieve anything. And I know what Caribbean football is like where you have certain players more popular and being treated better than others and there might be gaps in the team and this is why you need the entire country, the entire football fraternity and the media as well to come together to make Trinidad and Tobago successful on the football stage. Jack Warner had done wonders for football here and throughout the world as a matter of fact. He has set the stage and I am sure there would be nothing better than seeing this country now get to the biggest stage the game has to offer,” Barnes ended.