Former Trinidad and Tobago football captain Dwight Yorke made a surprised guest appearance for the 1989 “Strike Squad” as they launched their fund raising initiative to help rebuild the Haitian Football Federation.
The “Strike Squad” which came within a point of qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy won a four-team Invitational tournament at Fatima College Grounds on Saturday. They will next stage a day of fun and excitement on May 8 in San Fernando, aimed at raising funds to help a nation that was destroyed by an earthquake last January
The initiative is being called “Haiti ...We have not forgotten You” and is organised to raise as much funds to donate to the people of Haiti.
Yesterday Clayton Morris, captain of the Strike Squad said the day’s activities will begin with a Walkathon from Harris Promenade, San Fernando to the Skinner Park. And later, from about 2 pm there will be events for the children such as a bouncy castle and other events that children will enjoy.
There will also be a car show at Skinner Park which will culminate with a cultural presentation from 6 pm.
The show will feature the best Calypsonians and Soca artistes among them Super Blue, Maximus Dan and other top artistes, while there will also be performances from top steelbands.
Morris told Newsday that the day’s activities will be the first of many to be held by the Strike Squad. He is calling on corporate Trinidad and Tobago to come on board and assist his team with this worthy cause.
A date for the next fund raising events will be set soon and other activities will be held.
The events will be free to the public but Morris is asking for a contribution at the door to help the people of Haiti rebuild their football federation. All proceeds from the activities will be donated to Haiti.
Yorke who played professionally for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland in the English Premiership will be totally involved in the initiative, as will his friend and former national team-mate Russell Latapy, who is the present football coach of Trinidad and Tobago.
Morris gave the assurance that the entire squad from 1989, including Marlon Morris, Marvin Faustin, Maurice Alibey, Floyd Lawrence, Dexter Francis, Philbert Jones, Brian Williams and Hutson Charles, among many others will be involved in the initiative.