Experienced Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densill Theobald is saddened by the lack of funding for the senior team's Caribbean Cup challenge, but has vowed to ensure that the players are not psychologically affected.
Theobald is among the players who have been training at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, under interim head coach Hutson Charles.
"We as players have not been officially told about any possibility of us not going to St Kitts by the staff or the Federation (TTFF), and I think that is a good thing because it means we are allowed to focus on our preparations and not be distracted. We've seen it in the press and it saddens us.
I hope the powers that be realise that this isn't hurting one man or the TTFF, it's hurting a squad of human beings and several others who use football as a way of life," Theobald told TTFF Media.
"It is important that we as players and staff continue to stay focused and prepare as best as possible with a positive mental attitude and leave the rest up to the Almighty," said the 2006 World Cup team member.
Theobald said he was disappointed that the Ministry would use the exit from the World Cup 2014 campaign as a reason not to support the senior team.
"So what about the other teams that are not in the World Cup? You are trying to tell us that they are not being supported or loved by their leaders? When other athletes in the build up to the Olympics were not winning or performing well, did the Government come out and tell them we cannot support you at the Olympics?
Then we were all happy about bringing home medals. How do they expect success to come if they don't want to invest and help in the road to success?"
In a press release, yesterday, the TTFF said "it will attempt to meet all the requirements pertaining to this country's participation at the upcoming group opening group phase of the Caribbean Cup in St Kitts/Nevis next week
"The deadline for the submission of the participating squad to the Caribbean Football Union is Friday October 5th, 2012 and the TTFF will proceed with submitting the information on Friday (today).
Training sessions will continue at the Larry Gomes Stadium. All other arrangements and necessary efforts are being made in an attempt to ensure that the team departs on Monday.
"There continues to be ongoing discussions with partners," the release continued, "and the TTFF remains hopeful that the team goes on to participate in the tournament.
"There has been some solidarity shown to the cause as on Thursday (yesterday) the amount of TT$2,000 was contributed by various individuals desirous of seeing the national team engage in international competition. A total of TT$7,000 has been collected by TTFF Marketing over the past week."