NOW that Trinidad and Tobago are in the big league, having qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, things are looking up.
So much so, that match tickets for the Soca Warriors' international friendly at home to Peru on May 10 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium will now cost a minimum of $300 for the uncovered section and $500 for the covered stand.
This was announced at yesterday's media launch for the event in the VIP Lounge at the stadium.
And with the magnitude of the pre-World Cup warm-up game against the South Americans, not only the cost of staging the match has increased, but to avoid the ticket distribution difficulties that surrounded the last international fixture, the T&T Football Federation have recruited Teleios Systems Ltd to provide a solution whereby fair and transparent allocation will be ensured.
Last November, there was a mad rush for tickets, which created mass confusion at the three distribution centres in Trinidad, at the end of which many patrons were upset that they missed out on a chance to see the national team face Bahrain in their first leg World Cup qualifying playoff.
Teleios have also devised a more efficient method for entering the stadium, which they have not yet disclosed to the public.
The title sponsor for the match and T&T's World Cup Germany campaign is TSTT bmobile, as the local telecommunications company has extended its sponsorship deal with the "Soca Warriors" to 2008, for a yet to be disclosed sum.
TSTT managing executive Amoy Van Low said TSTT have continued to support the national football team, because of the unifying effect of the team and their achievement.
"The Soca Warriors inspire us to close ranks as a nation. Who can forget the spontaneous wave of celebration across the country after we beat Bahrain to qualify for our first World Cup?" she asked.
The national team arrive in T&T on May 7 and will train at a closed session on May 8 and 9, before their contest with Peru a day later.
Following that, the players will engage in a road tour in the sister isle on May 11, as well as South Trinidad on May 12, including stops at Chaguanas, San Fernando, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, and Rio Claro, before retuning to Port of Spain.
And before the Soca Warriors depart for a training camp in Europe, they will also be honoured guests at a special banquet on May 12 at the Sepp Blatter Hall of the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, which will be attended by President George Maxwell Richards.
Local corporations will pay $10,000 for a table of ten at the event, while there will also be limited seating available for individuals wishing to attend, at a cost of $1,000.
Prior to their friendly with Peru, a T&T President's XI will take on Grenada's national football team on April 25 at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, and again two days later at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, for the technical staff to get a last look at some locally-based players, as well as any invited players.