I didn’t make it to either Germany in 2006, or South Africa this year, but the atmosphere was exhilarating nonetheless. I am referring to Sunday’s opening of the Fifa Women Under-17 World Cup 2010 tournament at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain. Despite gossip that behind the scenes there was considerable “backstage” chaos, especially at the Hyatt Regency base, on the surface at the Stadium almost everything seemed ship shape. I say almost because someone should have told me to take an umbrella into the covered stands as the roof began leaking with the coming of a brief shower.
U-17
Nigeria's late winner breaks T&T hearts
Nigeria won their way into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup thanks to a winner four minutes from full-time by Loveth Ayila against Trinidad and Tobago in Marabella.
The shining light on women’s football
Nataki Kerr’s makeshift office on the sixth floor of the Hyatt Regency has a beautiful view of downtown Port-of-Spain. Kerr barely has time to notice though—thanks to the constant ringing of her BlackBerry, meetings and people coming in to seek her advice or solve problems. We met on August 25, and at that time, the Deputy CEO of the Local Organising Committee of the Fifa Women Under-17 World Cup was in overdrive. “I have bags under my eye?” she queried when asked if she’s getting any sleep. “Not as much as I would like,” she said. The World Cup officially begins today and Trinidad and Tobago will be the first Caribbean country to host the event.
Soca Princesses aiming to go the distance
A quick glance at the squad list for host nation Trinidad and Tobago here at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and it soon becomes clear that eight of their 21-player squad ply their trade in the USA or Canada. Leading the way for this foreign-based contingent is forward Diarra Simmons of Canadian outfit Pickering Power, whose ninth-minute strike in Sunday’s opening win over Chile was her country’s first ever goal at a FIFA women’s showpiece.
Curtain call in the Caribbean
The stage is set for 5 September’s big kick-off here at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010.
Minister Roberts wants red for T&T women, Camps congratulates team
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Anil Roberts was among those expressing congratulations to the T&T U-17 women’s team and staff on their victory against Chile in the opening match of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
Mad rush
In true "Trini" fashion, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is in a tight race to be ready for opening day of the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, tomorrow.
T&T prove too hot for Chile
The 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup got off to a perfect start for host nation Trinidad and Tobago who took advantage of a large and noisy crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain to defeat Chile 2-1.
Fifa happy with HCS surface, Pellerud: Watch the Asians
Fifa has given the all clear for the opening double-header of the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo tomorrow from 3pm.