Former President of the Jamaican Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell says Trinidad and Tobago has the support of Jamaica and he assured by extension-the whole Caribbean- in its quest to qualify for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.
Burrell, in charge of Jamaica’s football at the time of their 1998 World Cup qualification, said that in his current post of head of marketing of the Caribbean Football Union, while also closely tied to Jamaican football, he sees qualification by T&T capable of boosting the region, not only in football terms, but also in several other aspects for this country.
“Qualifying for a World Cup is a tremendous boost to the entire country in economic and social aspects,” Burrell told TTFF Media on Friday from the United States before boarding a flight to Zurich where CONCACAF President Jack Warner is currently at on FIFA business.
“If I am to use Jamaica as an example, when we qualified tremendous benefits were derived. It gave the tourism industry a massive boost and it was a major lift to our social status as the morale of the people was greatly enhanced. Whenever this sort of thing happens it transcends the entire nation, creating a sort of euphoria that is unthinkable. Now think of it, this time next year Trinidad and Tobago can be living this,” Burrell said.
He added though that it was important that the Government and private sector realize this before it’s too late.
“The players and staff already know what they must do but there are others who must also play their role.”
“I would like to humbly suggest to Prime Minister Patrick Manning to call PJ Patterson to ascertain the tremendous goodwill which his Government received when Jamaica qualified for France,” Burrell said with some laughter. “And I will also suggest that Sports Minister Roger Boynes call Minister Portia Simpson - Miller to ask her how it is done, including issuing passports to players worthy of playing for Trinidad & Tobago , the same as she has been consistently doing for Jamaica over the years . Jack Warner cannot and should not be allowed to carry the burden alone"
In a more serious tone though, he added “It is also very important for corporate Trinidad and Tobago to recognize potential of qualifying and therefore both the public and the private sector of T&T must support their team because it is not only the Football Federation of T&T who will benefit from this achievement but also the private and corporate sector. There will be many commercial opportunities once T&T is featured in a World Cup. And it is a fair to say that they (T&T) boast the most amount of manufacturers in the region. Therefore it is expected that will give support to the team in trying to help them realize their goal as they too will benefit. I am sure also that Prime Minister Manning and his Government recognize the tremendous goodwill which would come from qualification for the World cup in Germany and therefore pledge the support and goodwill of his government.”
Antiguan Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer agreed to accommodate the T&T team for a one week-training camp at the Antigua Recreation Ground in early January and Burrell is now saying that he has no doubt the entire Caribbean will assist in whatever way is deemed necessary.
“Trinidad and Tobago is the only CFU team left and I am pretty certain that every single Caribbean island including Jamaica will rally behind and lend whatever support we can to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago has all the necessary support to qualify. We must give them all the necessary support that we can since they are representing us all. All of us in Jamaica will do whatever we can to enhance their chances of qualifying for the World’s most prestigious sporting event,” Burrell said, adding that without the support of the sectors, T&T would face an uphill task against “countries such as the USA and Mexico which boast of tremendous resources and therefore if the support is not forthcoming for them, then they will be wasting their time. I would also want to remind the private and public sector of T&T that if Jamaica with their state of economy was able to contribute so much, I am quite sure then Trinidad and Tobago can do likewise and even more.
On the topic of attempts to get Brazilian-born midfielder Jose Seabra and other English-born players eligible to represent the “Soca Warriors”, Burrell stated “It is always my philosophy that the best eleven players should represent a country. Whether local or foreign, if the best eleven is from Laventille, San Fernando, Arima or Port of Spain, Brazil or England, then that is what it must be."