Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago yesterday honoured FIFA vice president Jack Warner for his contributions to local football and, in particular, his effort in steering T&T to its first ever World Cup appearance in Germany.
The award ceremony, which took place at President's House in St Ann's, was attended by several UNC executive members and members of the football fraternity.Addressing the gathering, CBTT chairman Harrack Balramsingh described Warner as being a "passionate and patriotic" person.
"We asked citizens who contributed significantly to football and more than 1000 people polled felt that Jack Austin Warner was the one who helped the team to reach to the World Cup," Balramsingh said.
Adding that the Republic Day Award Committee thought tribute should be paid to Warner, Balramsingh said people did not seriously take Warner's prediction that T&T would qualify for the World Cup, but glorified at the qualification.
In his acceptance address, Warner said he was humbled at being chosen. "To be nominated to such a carefully selected group, comprising this country's most cherished citizens, is not a gesture I take lightly," Warner said.
Saying that at times he wondered about his existence on earth, as he had been made a "moving target" by many, Warner commended CBTT's work.
