THE Caribbean will have the initial benefit of the first World Cup publication ahead of the world football championships in Germany in June.
The Official Guide to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, produced by local publishing house Safari Publications Co Ltd, was formally launched on Friday night at Garden Sanctuary, Centre of Excellence, Macoya. It is the first official, major publication for the world's premier football event.
Attending the launch was Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, along with Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs representatives, deputy permanent secretary Ashwin Creed and communications manager Andre Laveau, as well as T&TFF president Oliver Camps.
Safari Publications will print 100,000 copies of the 96-page guide, which will provide information on the 32 teams being featured at the World Cup, as well as the FIFA World Cup diary and the World Cup draw, which was held in December.
Also in the publication is a summarised history of the World Cup, and information on past World Cup heroes, 2006 World Cup team qualification, star players, venues, score sheets, as well as "dream team" predictions.
On Friday night, Warner paid tribute to Naim Khan, general manager of Safari Publications and editor of the guide, for his vision and for following through to make history for T&T yet again.
"They are now the first to launch the official guide," the CONCACAF president declared. "What they have demonstrated is that a country's size, or a company's size, or a company's location should not determine its capability.
"There is no substitute for hard work. This guide is an example of what hard work is all about."
Warner also invited Khan to submit yet another proposal to FIFA, which he (Warner) would support, for a similar publication for the 2010 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa.
During the launch, there was also entertainment with performances by pan ace Dane Gulston, who played the national anthem, before a rendition of "Oye Como Va" later in the evening.
Wendell Constantine and Wendy Sheppard lent their voices in a pair of superb duets, while Sheppard also serenaded the audience with a song entitled "The Power of the Dream".
Also making an appearance at the launch was the Original De Fosto Himself, who gave a vibrant performance of one of his 2006 efforts, "Soca Warriors", a tribute to the national football team which will make their debut at the World Cup in June after qualifying for the tournament for the first time last November.
There were also moko jumbies, dancers and ball jugglers on stage during De Fosto's performance, accompanied by Gulston. Even Warner joined in the festivities, dancing and waving a flag handed to him by a moko jumbie, to rousing applause from onlookers.
Part proceeds from the guide will go towards the national team and Safari Publications have already made a contribution to the Soca Warriors' cause, presenting a cheque for $90,000 to the T&TFF special adviser at the function.