Sixteen days after this country’s Soca Warriors return from a historic 1-0 win over Bahrain in Manama City to secure the final spot to next year’s World Cup Finals in Germany, six team members are still without some of their luggage.
This was confirmed on Wednesday by team manager Bruce Aanensen, who said he was certain that all the players left Bahrain with their personal belongings.
“We are positive that all of us checked out of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bahrain with all our luggage.
Aanensen added: “ T&TFF press officer Shaun Fuentes, two players (names withheld), team doctors Terrance Babwah and one of the team coaches are the people with missing luggage.
“We have been looking through Madrid because some of our players stopped off there to get a connecting flight to the UK.”
Asked if he had made contact with the Bahrain International Airport, the national team manager said he had done that already.
“We have contacted everyone from the Bahraini officials to the airline Air Tahiti Nui and they have replied to us that no luggage was left back on board.
“At present, we can only assume that somewhere between Madrid and our arrival in T&T some of the luggage got mixed up.
Questioned if the T&TFF was looking to get some form of re-imbursement for the players and staff Aanensen said: “As is the case with most instances of lost luggage, you will never get compensation to the exact value.
“We will continue to be in dialogue with Air Tahiti, and if it is confirmed that it was their fault, it’s a possibility that we may seek to get some form of re-imbursement.”
Among the items that were lost in some of the suitcases were players national team tracksuits and match kits.