?Fifa vice-president Jack Warner who meets US President Barack Obama today will invite Obama to attend the World Cup Football 2010 series in South Africa.
Warner confirmed this yesterday in a telephone interview as he left New Jersey to head for Washington and today's meeting with Obama. This takes place at 2 pm at Obama's Oval office, Warner said. Warner said Obama had indicated he (Warner) would be given a tour of the White House before the meeting. Warner will be accompanied by Fifa head Sepp Blattter. "We will be discussing various football matters including extending an invitation to Mr Obama to attend the World Cup series in South Africa next year," Warner added.
Several months ago, Warner said, Obama had written Fifa seeking to have the 2018 World Cup football series held in the US. Australia, Russia, the UK and Japan are among countries vying to host the 2018 series. Warner said he supported Obama's "passionate" (sic) bid to have the 2018 series in the US. Warner said that during today's meeting, he also intended to raise with Obama several issues of national interest–regarding T&T. He did not specify the issues.
Warner had attended Obama's inauguration in Washington in January on invitation of the Presidential Inauguration Committee. He was also invited to the Southern Ball, one of several held on inauguration night. Warner, who had previously brought Obama supporter Rev Al Sharpton to T&T, subsequently hosted a visit to T&T by Democrats strategist Donna Brazile. Warner also met with Obama aide, Larry Grisolano of AKPD Message and Media firm in May. At that meeting were COP members Ganga Singh and Roy Augustus.