Equipped with power washers, brooms and other cleaning items, Trinidad and Tobago Pro League footballers were among citizens lending support to residents across the country affected by last week’s flooding.
The Pro League (PL) effort, involving all ten member clubs (Central FC, Club Sando, Defence Force FC, Morvant Caledonia United, North East Stars, Police FC, Point Fortin Civic, San Juan Jabloteh, Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers and W Connection), saw teams assisting in the collection of non-perishable food items, clothing, cleaning and more.
Brent Sancho, Central FC managing director and PL Board member, said it was an instant reaction by the PL Board for the entire League to come together and assist the nation in relief support to people affected by the floods.
“(…) particularly when we some of our players and families were affected by the floods,” Sancho a former Minister of Sport said. “The decision came down swiftly, [the PL Board] decided it was important that we get involved in making sure that the people affected by the floods have some sort of relief. [So] as a joint effort we were able to collect items such as clothes, non-perishable items to distribute.”
Central FC and Police FC on Friday visited affected homes in some areas of Kelly Village to provide meals, food items, clothing and cleaning supplies. The group also had power washers to assist with cleaning efforts which are expected to continue over the coming days.
“Just to see what transpired and the way some people now have to live—some people have lost everything, the sympathy I just had a lady crying on my shoulder because she [recently] lost her husband and her daughter and now to have this tragic thing happen to her in terms of the flood waters is really heart-breaking. I encourage and implore more people to come and help these people because they really need as much help as they can get.”
Morvant Caledonia United players also took time off their schedule to distribute food hampers to some affected families in Greenvale, La Horquetta, one of the areas hardest hit by the flooding. The “Eastern Stallions” also helped in clean-up efforts as affected families try to restore some level of normalcy.
“We have to thank God [for no loss of life],” said Morvant Caledonia star Keron Cummings. The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder said the unfortunate situation now faced by families across the country presents an opportunity to test the love for one another as a people.
Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers also assisted areas in La Horquetta affected by flood with cash donations as well as assisted in clean-up efforts.
San Juan Jabloteh assisted through donations at Church of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe in Bourg Mulatresse for affected areas.
W Connection will collaborate efforts with RBC Royal Bank on Saturday to assist affected homes in Mafeking, Mayaro while Club Sando worked through the relief efforts of Naparima College which the club holds a close relationship with.
“Some instances they may never return to normalcy,” a concerned Sancho believes. “There are some areas that aren’t being touched (…) and the people need all the help they can get. Help is coming slowly, but when you lose everything and you have to start over from scratch it’s very difficult to watch somebody in their face and try to comfort them because they really are starting back from ground zero.”
Sancho has also focused on efforts through his Sancho Sports Foundation and For a Cause initiatives, the latter of which will host a Pop Up event at Woodford Café, featuring performances by Iwer George, Rome, KI and Alison Hinds. People are asked to bring anything to help flood victims.
The Pro League competition resumes on Tuesday with Round Two Match Day Four double-headers at Ato Boldon Stadium and Hasely Crawford Stadium.
In Couva, W Connection and Central FC will renew their rivalry from 6pm in the top-of-the-table clash before Club Sando and Point Fortin Civic lock horns from 8pm.
Simultaneously in Port of Spain, Morvant Caledonia United will clash with cellar-placed Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers from 6pm followed by San Juan Jabloteh against Police FC from 8pm.
North East Stars’ and Defence Force FC’s Round Two Match Day Four tie will be contested at a later date to be decided.