THE euphoria from qualifying for the 2006 World Cup has a longlasting effect and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) is seeking to extend it by honouring the occasion with the issuing of a special commemorative coin.
The coin, part of the FIFA numismatic programme for this year's World Cup, was launched yesterday at the Central Bank headquarters on Independence Square, Port of Spain, and Governor Ewart Williams was most excited at the unveiling.
"This is a particularly satisfying occasion for me," Williams told the gathering at the launch, "having been through two World Cup heartbreaks, the first in 1973 when fate and bad refereeing gifted our opportunity to Haiti..."
Williams said that qualification for T&T has been long in coming and this occasion was just another way of showing the world Trinidad and Tobago belong among the ranks of top nations.
"You can't keep talent and determination down forever and our time has come to be counted among the best, having finally taken our place in the big dance in Germany in 2006. Notwithstanding our size, we have our fair share of talent in the literary, cultural and sporting fields."
He added: "The Central Bank wanted to join with the entire community in celebrating the achievements of the Soca Warriors and thus we accepted an invitation to participate in the FIFA numismatic programme, which provides an opportunity for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to acquire the lasting memento of this heartbreaking event."
Williams was optimistic that T&T would qualify for the World Cup "several more times" and perhaps even win the event, but "the first one is always the one to savour and to remember in a special way".
According to the Central Bank Governor, the 2006 FIFA commemorative collection of silver and gold coins is the largest official collection ever issued for a World Cup event.
About 50 countries are participating in the programme, with some issuing more than one coin.
The Central Bank is issuing one coin with two denominations-a $10 coin, and a $100 coin.
The $10 coin is a Cupro-Nickel alloy (75 per cent copper, 25 per cent nickel) with a gold-plated finish.
The $100 coin is made of sterling silver.
Both coins feature a steelpan on one face, and the FIFA Germany 2006 logo on the reverse.
The coins will be available to the public from May 1 at commercial banks and through the T&T Football Federation (T&FF), as well as the CBTT museum, and are priced at $220 (for the $10) and $550 ($100), respectively, with part proceeds being donated to the T&TFF.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes urged the public to go out and purchase the coins in support of the "Soca Warriors", saying they encompass the spirit of T&T, and that they would be very valuable in the future.
"...We must support them here in Trinidad and Tobago, we must support them in Germany. They must know that the entire nation, we are behind them. And in order to do so, I call upon (the public) to support initiatives like this one, to continue growing from strength to strength."
Boynes also described the $45 million promised by Government to assist the national team in their World Cup campaign as a work in progress, saying "we are well on our way to ensuring that the Football Federation get what is due to them and the Soca Warriors get what is due to them, so we can get the show properly going as soon as possible".
Williams also presented Minister Boynes, TTFF president Oliver Camps and Germany World Cup LOC cultural liason Terry Joseph-who gave greetings on behalf of TTFF special adviser Jack Warner-with commemorative coins.
A special presentation was also made to German Ambassador Helmut Ohlraun.
The first official purchase of a coin was made by Hubert Diaz, better known as the "Flag Man".