Warriors quarterfinal free on CNMG; TTFA, Sport Ministry both take credit

Trinidad and Tobago’s 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Panama will be aired live from 4.30 pm today on State-owned CNMG’s CTV station on channel 6.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (centre) celebrates his goal against Mexico with teammates (from right) Cordell Cato, Joevin Jones, Mekeil Williams and Aubrey David in the 2015 Gold Cup. (Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (centre) celebrates his goal against Mexico with teammates (from right) Cordell Cato, Joevin Jones, Mekeil Williams and Aubrey David in the 2015 Gold Cup.
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)

In keeping with the current bonhomie between Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee and Sport Minister Brent Sancho, the TTFA and the Ministry of Sport both sought to take credit for it.

The football body was first on the draw with a release on Friday June 27.

“The TTFA successfully brokered a deal between free to air station, CNMG, and CONCACAF,” stated a release, “to have the remaining Gold Cup matches broadcast live in Trinidad and Tobago…”

Tim Kee further said: “We are extremely pleased to play a role in facilitating this arrangement between our regional governing body and CNMG.

“Football will bring this country together and the TTFA will continue to make efforts for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to watch our national teams in action.”

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau (centre) celebrates the opening goal against Guatemala with teammates Radanfah Abu Bakr (left) and Khaleem Hyland. (Copyright Jonathan Daniel/AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau (centre) celebrates the opening goal against Guatemala with teammates Radanfah Abu Bakr (left) and Khaleem Hyland.
(Copyright Jonathan Daniel/AFP 2015)

Sancho indicated, before the Gold Cup kicked off, that the Sport Ministry was attempting to purchase the rights to view the competition. But he had been unsuccessful.

“The Ministry of Sport cannot apply,” Sancho told Wired868. “The (relevant) TV station has to apply for the broadcast rights and then they have to approach sponsors (to sell advertising space) for it…

“My ministry cannot pay outright… I would have definitely have put money towards it.”

A day after the TTFA’s release, the Sport Ministry revealed that it was they who footed the bill and, like the football body, did not acknowledge any contribution from the other side.

“The Ministry of Sport, in partnership with state-owned CNMG, will sponsor the exclusive local broadcast of the remaining CONCACAF Gold Cup matches,” stated the Ministry of Sport release. “The Ministry has contributed $100,000 to the effort, which has captured national attention after the dominant performances from the men’s senior national team at the tournament.”

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones (left) congratulates scorer Sheldon Bateau (right) after his Gold Cup goal against Cuba. Looking on is Andre Boucaud who scored the Soca Warriors' second goal in a 2-0 win in Phoenix. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Kenwyne Jones (left) congratulates scorer Sheldon Bateau (right) after his Gold Cup goal against Cuba.
Looking on is Andre Boucaud who scored the Soca Warriors’ second goal in a 2-0 win in Phoenix.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

Whoever got the job done—and it is possible that both parties contributed to the cause—it will make for a comfortable Sunday evening for Warriors fans as the quarterfinal fixture was previously unavailable, even on cable television.

The TTFA also announced that it will host a viewing party with its partner, Trotters Restaurant, on Maraval Road, Port of Spain. TTFA paraphernalia, including the new Joma playing kit and supporters shirts, will also be on sale.

The Warriors have only been to the Gold Cup quarterfinals twice before while their sole appearance in the semifinal round was 15 years ago at the 2000 tournament.

Captain Kenwyne Jones said they are confident of success today.

“The mood in the camp is one of high spirits,” Jones told the TTFA Media. “Everyone is very relaxed but also very concentrated for this match. Yes I think it’s the biggest match of the tournament for us because of it being the next match.

“The last performance boosted us in a different type of way. In the first match we started differently to how we usually start and that yielded some results.

Photo Trinidad and Tobago defender Yohance Marshall (left) wins a header from Mexico defender Yasser Corona in CONCACAF Gold Cup action. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo Trinidad and Tobago defender Yohance Marshall (left) wins a header from Mexico defender Yasser Corona in CONCACAF Gold Cup action.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

“We qualified quite early and the character and grit we showed to come back and the also the way we played… gives us a different perspective on the attributes of the team and that in itself gave us a bag of confidence going into this game. But we will remain focused on keeping this momentum going.”

 

CTV’s Gold Cup Schedule
Quarterfinals

Sunday 19 July 2015 – MetLife Stadium (E. Rutherford, NJ)

QF3: Trinidad & Tobago v Panama, 4:30 p.m. on CTV (Channel 6)
QF4: Mexico v Costa Rica, 7:30 p.m.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (third from right) celebrates his second strike against Mexico with teammates (from right) Khaleem Hyland, Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Copyright Nicholas Kamm/AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Keron Cummings (third from right) celebrates his second strike against Mexico with teammates (from right) Khaleem Hyland, Kenwyne Jones and Kevan George at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
(Copyright Nicholas Kamm/AFP 2015)

Semifinals*

Wednesday 22 July 2015 – Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)

SF1: 6:00 p.m. ET
SF2: 9:00 p.m. ET
* Order of matches subject to final confirmation by CONCACAF

Third Place Game

Saturday 25 July 2015 – PPL Park (Chester, Pennsylvania)

Loser SF 1 v Loser SF 2, 4:00 p.m. ET

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Andre Boucaud volleys home the second goal in their 2-0 win over Cuba in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Copyright Christian Peterson/AFP 2015)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Andre Boucaud volleys home the second goal in their 2-0 win over Cuba in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
(Copyright Christian Peterson/AFP 2015)

Gold Cup Final

Sunday 26 July 2015 – Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2, 7:30 p.m. ET

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61 comments

  1. Hope concentration levels up for PK’s

  2. Goal by Panama. 1-0. Steups. C’mon fellas

  3. This is serious fraud. Lasana or sonebody need to ask for the proof of who they pay for these “rights”

  4. I just saying the same damn thing yes

  5. They hopping internet links. That is not how it works when you pay for rights. Somebody eat a food again. No money pay for this feed

  6. You see how they play nasty? I hope Jones has hair on his head by the time de game finish

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