Trinidad and Tobago Football Icon Russell Latapy is in the midst of finalising the selection of players from the upcoming Legends vs Trinidad and Tobago All Stars Exhibition match slated for Friday May 10th at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 8pm.
The match has been brought forward by one day from the original date to accommodate changes to the schedule of events on matchday of which further information will be forthcoming. Gates at the venue will open at 4:00pm.
Between 2009 to 2011, Latapy would have had the task of selecting his squad for the Senior Mens Team while serving as head coach. But over the last few days, the “Little Magician” has been busy communicating with a mixture of home-based and overseas-based former national players from his playing days as well as recent ex-nationals, in an effort to put together the best possible group of ‘Legends” for this inaugural event being put on by the Russell Latapy Education and Sports Foundation and I95.FM.
“Over the last ten to fifteen years Legends football has continued to grow in all corners of the globe and I believe we have a generation of players here who have done well and are at stage where we still love football and want to play. Not only play but also still have the physical ability to do that while there is a interest among the fans to see the these players out on the pitch,” Latapy said.
Cafu and Rivaldo celebrate a goal with teammate Ronaldinho during their successful 2002 World Cup run.
On the decision to put his name to the event and take a lead role in staging it, Latapy felt the timing was ideal for him to engage in something of this nature.
“Tony (Lee) of I95.5FM had the idea of this match and invited me to be a part of it. And once we sat down and started to discuss the event I was delighted to take up the offer. It’s something I have been part of in different parts of the world and I think it’s something great for the Caribbean. It was a no brainer for me to be part of an initiative to bring a high level of Legends football to our country,” added the ex-Porto midfielder.
The Brazilian quartet of World Cup winners Kaka, Rivaldo, Cafu and Edmilson are the headliners who will take to the pitch at the Hasely Crawford Stadium with the likes of former national captain Dwight Yorke leading a group of ex-Soca Warriors including Carlos Edwards, Stern John, Brent Sancho, Kelvin Jack, Devorn Jorsling, Densill Theobald and “Strike Squad” members Leonson Lewis, Brian Williams, Hutson Charles and others.
“It’s Legends football so I’m trying to involve a lot of these players who have represented us well and delighted the fans over the years. I played over three decades both at national and club level and I’ve played with a lot of fantastic players. This game is just a way of showing appreciation to them for the everything they have contributed to football in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean by extension.
“The aim is to push that feel good factor about football in the country. It’s a situation where we think we can also set a good example for young players. There are so many good things we think we can come out of this sort of venture. A lot of the legends are still in good shape and there are a lot of young persons in our country who would like to see these players on the pitch. It’s a win-win situation all around,” Latapy added.
Further information on squad selections and physical ticket outlets will be forthcoming. At this time, tickets can be purchased online at islandetickets.com.
Pushinglimits is the Media Operations handler for the Legends Match on May 10th
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