Opposition MP Jack Warner, the vice president of world football governing body, Fifa, received high praises from the Government for his contribution to the sport yesterday, as the Soca Warriors were congratulated for their 3-0 World Cup victory over Cuba on Wednesday night.
Parsanlal said Warner "has contributed immensely to getting Trinidad and Tobago to the position where it is in football today".
He said the Soca Warrior's victory against Cuba at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo was "redemption, in a very real sense", for the 1-0 loss this country's national squad suffered against the United States on November 19, 1989. That game brought an end to this country's chance of competing in the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy. Parsanlal said the victory on Wednesday marked two major achievements in local football.
"We have seen November 19th come, we've beaten Cuba, but we have also beaten the USA, so last night was cathartic for a number of us, and a number of us who would have sat in the stadium 19 years ago and cried. Last night it was one of just, unbridled joy and on that note we really want to congratulate all the members of the team, including the management, including Mr Warner," Parsanlal said.
In 2006, the Soca Warriors made their way to the World Cup finals for the first time and Parsanlal said of the team's efforts to make it to the finals in South Africa in 2010, "We look forward to an exciting second round."
Prime Minister Patrick Manning had postponed an address to the nation on Wednesday night because of the Soca Warriors match against Cuba.
The United National Congress and Congress of the People also congratulated the Soca Warriors.
In a release, UNC leader Basdeo Panday told the Soca Warriors, "You have brought joy and pride to your countrymen, even as they endure some of their darkest and wettest days. For that, you must forever be proud. With true Warrior spirit and the highest level of sportsmanship, our team must be commended for an action-packed game that has taken this country into the next round of qualifiers and energised the journey to the 2010 World Cup Finals to be held in South Africa."
Panday added: "I also call on every patriot to get behind the team as they struggle in pursuit of fame and recognition for themselves as individual athletes and for their country."
COP meanwhile said,"We recognise the hard work and sacrifice of all the people who helped to make this happen and thank them for their efforts."
"The captain, Dwight Yorke, and members of the team have once again inspired our nation and we thank them for this moment of glory for all of us in Trinidad and Tobago," party leader Winston Dookeran said.