T&T Football

TTFA to receive $2 million government injection for World Cup qualifying campaign

By Sports Desk November 06, 2024
TTFA to receive $2 million government injection for World Cup qualifying campaign

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is set to receive a $2 million injection from the Ministry of Sport and Community Development towards its Fifa World Cup campaign.

Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis pointed out that the funds to be distributed between 2024-2026 will be $1 million for the first year, with another $1 million to come in the second year, provided that her ministry is satisfied with how the money is being spent.

“What we have done is support TTFA’s proposal for their World Cup campaign. They submitted to us a World Cup proposal... and we are making a contribution to their proposal like governments have done in the past. This time they have submitted the terms and so on, as it relates to the terms and conditions of the contract between Dwight Yorke and the TTFA," Cudjoe-Lewis told T&T Newsday. 

With former Manchester United and Trinidad and Tobago striker Dwight Yorke now taking the reins as senior Soca Warriors Head coach, anticipation is high that he can qualify the Twin Island Republic to another Fifa World Cup since its appearance at the 2006 showpiece.

The Soca Warriors currently sit second in Group B on four points, two points behind leaders Costa Rica ahead of the resumption of qualifying action in 2025.

Cudjoe-Lewis, who is elated to welcome Yorke back into the national team, reiterated that the Government’s financial support is for the Kieron Edwards-led TTFA, not specifically for the new coach’s salary.

“Whoever TTFA chooses to be its coach is between TTFA and that coach. Of course, it is great for us to have a local, somebody who is a star, someone who has served as sports ambassador, and so on. That is a good thing for all of us in TT. In the past, you would see that the Cabinet has approved World Cup campaigns... and we were presented with a proposal. That proposal consists of so many things, from coaches, coach fees, support for local training, local games, foreign games, airline tickets... we made a contribution to their campaign, and they determine how they are going to spend the contribution," she declared.

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« All or nothing: TTFA president Edwards gives Yorke World Cup qualifying mandate in two-year agreement Former Soca Warriors stalwart Shaka Hislop points to lack of talent, depth in T&T squad as Dwight Yorke's biggest test »

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