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| June 12, 2008: Honourable Gary Hunt, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, in his post-Cabinet announcement today offered the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium free of charge to the T&TFF for its World Cup Qualifying matches on the condition that there be no charge to the public. This “generosity” has once again displayed the Minister’s complete ignorance of the importance of the gate to sport in general and football in particular. In making the statement, the Honourable Minister must have felt that he was doing the T&TFF a huge favour by what may be perceived as a magnanimous gesture. This from a Minister who, since his tenure, has not put one cent into the sport, whether this be for payment to coaches or to facilitate the participation of any of our national teams in qualifying or regional and international tournaments of which there have been over 10 to date or the organization of training camps or for airfare of any kind or for accommodation of any kind or general administration or even insurance, just to cite a few of the expenses that are borne by the T&TFF. In case the Minister is not aware, gate receipts represent just one source of income for the T&TFF. In many cases, what the T&TFF charges for tickets at the gates does not even remotely cover the expenses associated with a match, far more to manage the affairs of the Federation and general development of football. Even if one were to take the Minister’s offer of free use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium seriously, will he pay for the security for the match? the two teams’ accommodation? the expenses related to match officials? the away travel for Trinidad and Tobago when they play the return game? and a host of other expenses? What manner of foolishness is this!!! For cheap publicity!! Thank you, Honourable Minister, but no thanks. The Federation will continue to manage as best as it could without the “concession” from your Ministry. Until you demonstrate that you truly understand what sport is all about, or are willing to sit down and listen and negotiate in good faith with the Federation, the Federation will not be prepared to accept your offer, especially via the media. What you have done, Honourable Minister, as far as the Federation is concerned, is to join the ranks of people like Jay Leno, Dave Letterman, Conan O’Brien and our own Tommy Joseph and Learie Joseph and the Federation and I will say more about this matter at a Press Conference specially called for this purpose at 2:00 pm on Monday June 16, 2008 at the Queen’s Park Oval, to which Press Conference you are specially invited to join us. At that Press Conference the public will also be informed of what monies you have given the Federation and its local coaches since you assumed office. See you there. Signed Jack Warner Special Advisor T&TFF Cc: Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation |
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