The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association extends gratitude to the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago SPORTT) for their unwavering support towards the staging of the international friendly between Trinidad and Tobago and Panama at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Friday night. Panama edged the Soca Warriors 1-0 despite dominating proceedings.
William Wallace, the FA’s National Team’s Operations Director who has been overseeing the TTFA’s relations with the Ministry of Sport and SPORTT, said on Saturday that the cooperation and understanding between both sides has been on point
“On behalf of the TTFA, I would like to extend sincere gratitude to all those entities that contributed to making the friendly international with Panama possible. Special mention must be made of the Ministry of Sport and SPORTT,” Wallace stated.
“I have to express special thanks to the Minister of Sport Mr Brent Sancho and the Permanent Secretary Richard Oliver for sitting with the Football Association to establish a template for future projects. This of course will go a long way towards strengthening relationships and systems as we move forward and look ahead to the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as well as other assignments for our national teams,” he added.
Wallace also expressed gratitude to SPORTT Acting CEO Adrian Raymond for his efforts over the past couple weeks in ensuring several arrangements went through for the match.
“Mr Raymond has been very supportive as well and he in fact brought his staff out on Saturday to facilitate the payment of match fees to the players,” Wallace mentioned.
Wallace reiterated that while the Government organisations have been heavily supportive of the national football teams, there are still ongoing efforts by the TTFA to source additional support through corporate TT and other partners
TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee, who also expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Sport and SPORTT, took the opportunity to also thank the visiting Panama team for being formidable opponents for the match to assist in this country’s Gold Cup preparations and he thanked all other supporting staff and contributors for the match including the Local Organising Committee, Ato Boldon Stadium management and stadium staff, Protective Services, the TT Pro League and clubs. He also praised the national team and staff for their encouraging showing against the Panamanians.