Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation special adviser and FIFA vice-president Austin Jack Warner took his turn yesterday to formally express his feelings as a citizen of T&T on the achievement of the "Warriors" in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, something he has been aspiring to for more than three decades.
Here is the full text of Warner's message:
There are few moments in my life that I can recall that have moved me as much as when the referee blew his whistle in Bahrain to signal the end of the match with the score reading: Trinidad and Tobago 1, Bahrain nil.
It was the culmination of everything I have struggled for over the years, but it isn't an event that measures how good our nation is at football but more importantly how much we can become as a people when united, determined and filled with an enduring faith in ourselves. That is the real victory we celebrate today.
And this must become a turning point for Trinidad and Tobago. We must preserve the true meaning of this historic occasion-that time when we genuinely embrace each other regardless of colour, class or creed, that time when we fully appreciate what it means to be a citizen of this great country. Moments like this can become a catalyst for lasting change, a reference point from which we can make huge strides. Let us, together, build on the moment.
Trinidad and Tobago has not merely qualified for the World Cup finals, we have achieved a much larger national goal than that, we have embraced the true spirit of nationhood. My heart races with excitement at the prospect this holds out for my country. Like so many of you, I am proud to be a Trini and I am sure that when we arrive in Germany-the world will know. Our culture and music, the way we celebrate life will be a marvel to all who encounter it. Remember, World Cup football enjoys a global audience of some 40 billion souls, so this is a platform unlike any other ever offered before. We must maximise on the immense benefits the occasion presents to brand Trinidad and Tobago.
We are not only the smallest nation ever to qualify for the finals of FIFA World Cup but, in my opinion, we are also one of the most exciting, colourful and unique countries ever to enter this level of the game.
I am sure Trinidad and Tobago's presence will be experienced not only by the quality of football we display on the field but through our unique characteristics.
May I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic, George Maxwell Richards, the Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the Honourable Minister of Sport Roger Boynes and indeed the government of Trinidad and Tobago.
But I reserve the greatest gratitude to God, the team, coach Beenhakker, my dedicated staff of CONCACAF and T&TFF, my supportive family and, of course, the nation that inspired it all.
Thank you all so much Trinidad and Tobago.