Trinidad and Tobago football has hit a new low.

Six years after playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the Soca Warriors will not compete in the Caribbean Cup--unless a major sponsor comes forward in the next week. This comes after the Ministry of Sport, headed by Anil Roberts, blanked a $423,218 request from the T&T Football Federation (TTFF) to fund the team's participation in the opening round of Caribbean qualifying, due to take place in St Kitts-Nevis.

T&T are due to play French Guiana on October 10 in Basseterre, Anguilla two days later, and hosts St Kitts-Nevis on October 14.

But on Tuesday, the marketing arm of the TTFF received notice from the Ministry, which indicated it will not support the senior team, based on T&T's elimination from World Cup qualifying by Guyana, last November. The Ministry's position was relayed by Permanent Secretary Ashwin Creed in an e-mail to Anthony Harford, who heads the TTFF'S marketing arm.

"With regards to the support for the senior team you have been informed on several occasions that the Ministry focus is on development given the abysmal performance of the senior team," Creed declared. "As you are aware there is a note before the Cabinet to treat with the way forward for football. This note is predicated on two consultations held on a development plan for football. The Ministry will be guided by the recommendations of this note following the approval of Cabinet."

T&T is the most successful country in the history of Caribbean football, having competed in all 17 tournaments, winning eight times. Jamaica have won five titles. The Caribbean Cup is a qualifier for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which serves as preparation for FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Yesterday, Harford informed the media of the Ministry's shock decision not to support the national team.

"TTFF marketing wishes to advise that it has received a negative response to the request for funding the airfares and allowances for the senior national football team to participate in the first round of the Caribbean Cup. The email response came from the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Mr. Ashwin Creed, who pointed out the ministry is concerned with development because of the abysmal performance of the national senior team," Harford said. "TTFF marketing, which is charged with the responsibility for marketing and events at the TTFF put in a request for airfares, including the return of five overseas-based players, player and staff stipends, a weekend camp before leaving, and accommodation for four persons, as the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) pays accommodation for 25 of the party of 29. The total requested was TT$423,218."

Harford told the Express that while talks were ongoing with potential sponsors, nothing was confirmed. He said that while the TTFF had raised some funds earlier this year, all went into the preparation of the Olympic men's team and under-17 and under-20 women's teams for qualifying tournaments.

"The TTFF is severely strapped for cash as there has been no Government funding since March and the sponsorship funds raised to date have supported the under 17 and under 20 teams both of which played their qualifiers without Government support. TTFF marketing has learnt that the Ministry has since paid one bill for the under 17 tournament, but this has not been communicated to TTFF marketing nor the TTFF by the Ministry. It is understood that this invoice was just over $250,000 and paid directly to a hotel. TTFF marketing is continuing its drive to meet the other outstanding invoices for these national teams, including payment to other hotels, coaches, catering and transport."

By Ian Prescott

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com