"The future of women's football is T&T." This was the boast of Fifa vice-president, Jack Warner in announcing the upcoming launch of the 2010 Fifa under-17 Women's World Cup (U-17 WWC) emblem, to be held on Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Warner also said the launch will be a first class one. "When you come here on the 12th, you will see an event, second to none. We are doing this, not because we have the money, but because we believe sincerely the time has come to give women's football the kind of respect it deserves." In reference to Fifa President, Sepp Blatter's statement that "the future of football is feminine," Warner expressed his belief that with this under-17 WWC, T&T could lay the foundation for women's football in the future.
"We are days away from the launch of the emblem which will put T&T on the map, this emblem that depicts both races, the people and culture of this country," he said. "Far too often, as male chauvinist, in a small country, we fail to give women's football the respect it deserves. What we do here over the next 12 months or so, must elevate women's football," he said. Pointing to the members of the head table at the function, Warner made note of the fact that there were three women, Hema Ramkissoon (TTFF Media Manager), Nataki Kerr (Deputy CEO and Director of Marketing of the Local Organising Committee for the Under-17 WWC) and Rehana Omardeen, (member of the under-17 team) and two men, Warner and TTFF President Oliver Camps.
"This proportion should be reduced to four women and then eventually five women, because we must show Fifa, not only that we can run the best Fifa World Cup, but we have women leaders in football. After all, after 100 years, there is not a single woman in Fifa," explained Warner. "And if we can raise the bar as a small country, then we can achieve the dream, that many countries have thought impossible," he said. The launch will feature some of the best female footballers in the world, including Aline Pellegrino (member of the Brazilian national team and considered one of the best defenders in the world), Christine St Clair (Canada's all time leading goal scorer) and Hope Solo (goalkeeper).
President of the Brazilian Football Federation, Ricardo Texiera will also be in attendance, while the above mentioned players will also be expected to take part in a training session with the under-17 team while in T&T. "This launch is not about the TTFF, Mr Warner, Nataki or even the under-17 team, it is about T&T, it is about our legacy and what we have to showcase to the world," Ramkissoon said.