T&T Football Federation’s headache of having to pay the salaries of Technical Director Lincoln Phillips and national coach Bertille St Clair could soon be relieved.
FIFA vice president and TTFF advisor Jack Warner announced on Monday at the TTFF Corporate Dinner at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, that it is expected that the salaries for the two highest paid individuals in local football will come through the Sports and Culture Fund.
Warner and Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes were due to hold talks yesterday with officials of the Sport and Culture Fund but because of the storm warning, the meeting was postponed.
“If we achieve that for this year, that is enough,” said Warner, who threatened that it will be his last battle to raise funds in the Journey to Germany 2006.
“If Government set the example, it will be a first step, said Warner. “Next year the team needs US$2 million from Government. Whatever they need after that I will see about that.”
In making a case for corporate assistance and Government assistance, Warner used Jamaica as an example.
“My role is to use a different approach and use main contender Jamaica’s rise to fame and why as an example. Where Jamaica is today, is not by accident.”
Warner pointed out that it was because of a collective effort, the Jamaicans were able to raise US 9.3 million for their journey to the World Cup in Germany.
Warner also said that the present national senior team is the most disciplined he has seen in all his years in football dating as far back as the 1970’s.
A high-point at the dinner was the presentation of the FIFA Centenial Order of Merit Award to former national captain Sedley Joseph.
The award is given to an individual in each country who has had an influence on the game. Some of the recipients include the legendary Pele of Brazil, Englishman Sir Stanley Rouse, Dutchman Cryuff and German Beckenbauer.
“I was shocked and surprised when I opened the letter indicating that I had won the award,” said Joseph. “If I had to divide the medal very little will be left to me. I could not have done it myself.”
Joseph, an old boy of St Mary’s, skippered the national team from 1963 to ‘68. He was the first person to captain a T&T World Cup team (against Suriname in 1965) and led the country to the only CAC football medal (bronze) in 1967.
Joseph, who led his club Maple to 28 trophies in nine years, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Present at the dinner were Phillips, St Clair and members of the present national senior team, past national players like Alvin Corneal, Bobby Sookram and Jean Mouttet and representatives of several top corporate firms.