It was a moment that will live long in our memories and be cemented in history. The inauguration of Barack Obama means many things to many people, not least those who have struggled against racism and inequality in their lives.
Maybe the racism I have experienced, as the son of a white father and a black mother, explained why this moment was so profound to me. The verbal abuse I once suffered from ignorant strangers will never leave me. Nor will the treatment of my ancestors - and the legacy that left.
I certainly never envisioned ever seeing a non-white as the American President in my lifetime. Like many, I think this offered real hope to the marginalised.
As President Obama said in his speech, if someone who may not have been served in a restaurant 50 years ago can become President the ambitions of those once persecuted for their ethnicity surely can know no bounds.
Now the most powerful man in the world, President Obama has also helped to open up the discussion on people of mixed race.
Much has been made of his background - it is now well known that his mother was from Kansas and his father from Kenya.
However, the media have variously described him as black, mixed-race and African-American - frustrating sections of communities for different reasons.
Those in favour of mixed-race felt using black ignored his white heritage. Others preferred black, feeling mixed-race was a divisive term and a way of downplaying black achievement. Some went as far as to tell me that it was a term used to divide and rule.
"African-American" appeared to be a safe bet. At his first press conference as President Elect, Obama threw in the term "mutt" to cause greater confusion. Self-deprecation or taking ownership of an abusive term? Only he really knows.
As someone with a black mother and white father I felt a personal frustration that there was no agreed way of describing him across the media at the time. I wondered, had no one asked him? Or Lewis Hamilton, when he won the F1 Championship for that matter?
Rarely was I ever asked to define myself - instead I was offered various labels by others who seemed to see broaching this subject as too sensitive, maybe expecting a horror story about my conception.
I grew up in north London. My father Terry is from England, and my mother Beverley was born in Jamaica.
Speaking to my parents about the term "mixed race" I learnt even they had differing views on the issue. My father felt dual heritage was a better term than mixed-race; my mother preferred black in my case.
Obama himself used the term "mutt" to describe his ethnicityMy father said: "Certainly there were nowhere near the numbers of children from mixed-race relationships around when we got together in the early 1970s. The whole self-esteem thing is a crucial thing for me; [it's about] having a positive identity."
I've always felt most comfortable describing myself as black politically, but mixed-race culturally. Promoting the positive sides of both of my heritages was an important issue for my parents.
My mother told me: "When I made a cake, I made sure I put a black character image on it."
I was a product of the 70s. My friends Josh and Natalie have a mixed-race child whom they only see as "Ruby". At six, she's a product of the new millennium.
"I see Ruby as Ruby - no colour, no race, even though I know in my mind she is mixed-race," says Josh.
"Obviously I want her to feel comfortable describing herself as she wants to," adds Natalie. "But I would just like her to be aware of her history."
But, pushed to define her in racial terms when filling out forms, they are unequivocal that she is mixed-race - a possibility census forms did not allow me until 2001. I had to make do with "other" - whatever that meant.
Organisations including the Multiple Heritage Project, People in Harmony and Intermix have been working hard to encourage discussion and awareness around mixed people - not just those from African-Caribbean backgrounds but other mixed backgrounds too.
Their work has been questioned by some, but welcomed by many who are ready to discuss their identity and experience as different to that of "mono-racial" friends and colleagues.
I cannot help but wonder if people who are role models for young people today -such as Hamilton, Rio Ferdinand, and Leona Lewis (all mixed-race) - started talking more about their backgrounds, it would breed more confidence in youngsters to feel comfortable defining themselves - instead of being told what they should be.
I certainly would have appreciated more discussion about people of mixed race as a youngster.
Mixed-race is the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the country, some figures projecting that by 2020 this group will be the largest minority in the UK.
A study released as recently as last week claimed that one in 10 children in the UK lives in a mixed-race family. If that isn't good enough reason to start talking about this issue, then I'm not sure what is.
Published on BBC News website
Saturday, 11 July 2009
What makes Usain Bolt tick?
The Beijing Olympics could not have asked for a more captivating character than Usain Bolt.
Three gold medals, three world records and some memorably exuberant celebrations provided a potent cocktail of athletic excellence and uninhibited emotion that just blew us away.
Most people know that Bolt hates training - and loves fast food and late-night partying. But as he gets his 2009 outdoor season under way, does anyone know what really makes him tick?
After spending the best part of a week with the triple Olympic champion in Jamaica recently, meeting his friends and family, I got a chance to find out.
Music is a big part of Jamaican culture and perhaps unsurprisingly, Bolt was at his most relaxed at The Quad nightclub in Kingston.
To say the 22-year-old was in his element is an understatement. With his sunglasses perched on top of his head, singing along to his favourite tracks and calling out for a "reload!", he could not have been happier.
And it's fair to say that Bolt takes his dancing almost as seriously as his sprinting!
While he is travelling the world competing he practises his moves in the mirror, listening to the latest reggae dancehall tracks on his iPod, sent to him by his brother.
It helps him relax away from the rigours of training and intense competition. Bolt is a man who values downtime.
The partying doesn't bother those closest to him. His manager and mentor Norman Peart could not help but smile broadly as he told me: "He partied a lot last year and look at the success!
"I guess it works for him. He arrives at the club at two in the morning and leaves at five - so it's not like 10 hours wild partying or anything."
Few know Bolt as well as Peart. It seems like he's the cog that holds the Bolt engine together. A full-time government tax auditor, he's very much been an unsung hero in the world-record holder's story.
Peart has mentored Bolt since the age of 15, helping him with his studies as well as his training. He always knew Bolt had a gift, although there were times he questioned his application.
But after seeing his young protégé run 20.25 seconds in the 200m final of the Jamaican High School Championships in 2003, he began to plan out a strategy.
"After that 20.25 you dream big and I thought he needed a certain structure around him. We kept it small but effective," Peart enthused.
The plans certainly paid dividends. His strategy has seen disciplinarian coach Glen Mills take charge of Bolt's training and PACE Sports Management's Ricky Simms become the young star's competition agent.
Bolt was born with scoliosis - a condition in which the spine is curved from side to side and something that has led to a series of injuries in his career.
Peart paid particular attention to addressing the problem and keeping Bolt's engine well oiled.
A masseuse never leaves the sprinter's side, travelling all over the world with him, warming him up before and after training and at every race.
"We don't let anyone else touch him, and to keep on top of [the condition] he has two or three check-ups a year with a specialist in Germany," said Peart.
Before Peart took on a young Usain he insisted on meeting with his parents to get a measure of where the youngster was coming from. I travelled back to where that first meeting took place, the Bolt family home.
Outside the house there are signs of their son's success. An extension is being finished off, doubling the size of the house, and a new wall is being built by the road.
Inside, the house is modest with Usain's trophies and medals won as a youngster taking pride of place beside the television.
His mother, Jennifer, recalled her earliest memories of Usain.
"He was very strong", she beamed. "At three weeks old he fell off the bed when I had left the room, and by the time I got back he was pushing himself around the place. It was from there that we noticed he was hyperactive!"
Down the road at the family's grocery shop his father, Wellesley, sported a President Obama baseball cap and, between serving customers rice, vegetables and fish, told me his son's hyperactivity as a child was a cause for concern.
"Once I had to take him to the doctor because I did not realise what was happening.
"But the doctor reassured me that he was just hyperactive and I should be careful with him by the road."
Bolt regularly goes home to Sherwood Content in Trelawny to visit his parents and confesses it's one of the places he can "just go and be himself".
They are humble people from the countryside - respect, good manners and honesty are important to them.
The post-race showboating doesn't worry his parents. He earned the right to be a little flashy - and guess who taught him how to dance so well...
The influence of his parents is clear. He manages to succeed where so many sportsmen and women fail, combining confidence with a courteous manner.
The only cause for concern to those who know him best is his need for speed. Not on the track, but on the road.
Peart and Simms were so worried that they insisted Bolt took specialist driving lessons in Germany to learn how to handle a powerful BMW.
Despite this, those fears were realised last month when the man known to Jamaican taxi drivers as 'lead foot' had a narrow escape from a serious car accident. The BMW is no more.
Since Beijing, Bolt has become a national treasure and the Jamaican government have even assigned two undercover policemen to be by his side at all times.
The softly spoken officers, both the same age as Bolt, wear trainers, jeans and baggy T-shirts.
They told me no-one would dare trouble Bolt; the people love him too much.
The bulk of their work is making sure his fans don't get too excited when they see him and ensuring Bolt doesn't spend too much time signing autographs.
In many ways Bolt is the archetypal 20-something, finding his way in life while having a good time so, given his position of fame, it makes the roles of those around him that much more important.
The talents he possesses are a combination of fortune and hard work. But essentially it is the combination of the individuals around him that have kept him on track.
From his parents and mentor to his agent and coach they've all played a part in keeping Bolt ticking.
Published on BBC Sport wesbite
Three gold medals, three world records and some memorably exuberant celebrations provided a potent cocktail of athletic excellence and uninhibited emotion that just blew us away.
Most people know that Bolt hates training - and loves fast food and late-night partying. But as he gets his 2009 outdoor season under way, does anyone know what really makes him tick?
After spending the best part of a week with the triple Olympic champion in Jamaica recently, meeting his friends and family, I got a chance to find out.
Music is a big part of Jamaican culture and perhaps unsurprisingly, Bolt was at his most relaxed at The Quad nightclub in Kingston.
To say the 22-year-old was in his element is an understatement. With his sunglasses perched on top of his head, singing along to his favourite tracks and calling out for a "reload!", he could not have been happier.
And it's fair to say that Bolt takes his dancing almost as seriously as his sprinting!
While he is travelling the world competing he practises his moves in the mirror, listening to the latest reggae dancehall tracks on his iPod, sent to him by his brother.
It helps him relax away from the rigours of training and intense competition. Bolt is a man who values downtime.
The partying doesn't bother those closest to him. His manager and mentor Norman Peart could not help but smile broadly as he told me: "He partied a lot last year and look at the success!
"I guess it works for him. He arrives at the club at two in the morning and leaves at five - so it's not like 10 hours wild partying or anything."
Few know Bolt as well as Peart. It seems like he's the cog that holds the Bolt engine together. A full-time government tax auditor, he's very much been an unsung hero in the world-record holder's story.
Peart has mentored Bolt since the age of 15, helping him with his studies as well as his training. He always knew Bolt had a gift, although there were times he questioned his application.
But after seeing his young protégé run 20.25 seconds in the 200m final of the Jamaican High School Championships in 2003, he began to plan out a strategy.
"After that 20.25 you dream big and I thought he needed a certain structure around him. We kept it small but effective," Peart enthused.
The plans certainly paid dividends. His strategy has seen disciplinarian coach Glen Mills take charge of Bolt's training and PACE Sports Management's Ricky Simms become the young star's competition agent.
Bolt was born with scoliosis - a condition in which the spine is curved from side to side and something that has led to a series of injuries in his career.
Peart paid particular attention to addressing the problem and keeping Bolt's engine well oiled.
A masseuse never leaves the sprinter's side, travelling all over the world with him, warming him up before and after training and at every race.
"We don't let anyone else touch him, and to keep on top of [the condition] he has two or three check-ups a year with a specialist in Germany," said Peart.
Before Peart took on a young Usain he insisted on meeting with his parents to get a measure of where the youngster was coming from. I travelled back to where that first meeting took place, the Bolt family home.
Outside the house there are signs of their son's success. An extension is being finished off, doubling the size of the house, and a new wall is being built by the road.
Inside, the house is modest with Usain's trophies and medals won as a youngster taking pride of place beside the television.
His mother, Jennifer, recalled her earliest memories of Usain.
"He was very strong", she beamed. "At three weeks old he fell off the bed when I had left the room, and by the time I got back he was pushing himself around the place. It was from there that we noticed he was hyperactive!"
Down the road at the family's grocery shop his father, Wellesley, sported a President Obama baseball cap and, between serving customers rice, vegetables and fish, told me his son's hyperactivity as a child was a cause for concern.
"Once I had to take him to the doctor because I did not realise what was happening.
"But the doctor reassured me that he was just hyperactive and I should be careful with him by the road."
Bolt regularly goes home to Sherwood Content in Trelawny to visit his parents and confesses it's one of the places he can "just go and be himself".
They are humble people from the countryside - respect, good manners and honesty are important to them.
The post-race showboating doesn't worry his parents. He earned the right to be a little flashy - and guess who taught him how to dance so well...
The influence of his parents is clear. He manages to succeed where so many sportsmen and women fail, combining confidence with a courteous manner.
The only cause for concern to those who know him best is his need for speed. Not on the track, but on the road.
Peart and Simms were so worried that they insisted Bolt took specialist driving lessons in Germany to learn how to handle a powerful BMW.
Despite this, those fears were realised last month when the man known to Jamaican taxi drivers as 'lead foot' had a narrow escape from a serious car accident. The BMW is no more.
Since Beijing, Bolt has become a national treasure and the Jamaican government have even assigned two undercover policemen to be by his side at all times.
The softly spoken officers, both the same age as Bolt, wear trainers, jeans and baggy T-shirts.
They told me no-one would dare trouble Bolt; the people love him too much.
The bulk of their work is making sure his fans don't get too excited when they see him and ensuring Bolt doesn't spend too much time signing autographs.
In many ways Bolt is the archetypal 20-something, finding his way in life while having a good time so, given his position of fame, it makes the roles of those around him that much more important.
The talents he possesses are a combination of fortune and hard work. But essentially it is the combination of the individuals around him that have kept him on track.
From his parents and mentor to his agent and coach they've all played a part in keeping Bolt ticking.
Published on BBC Sport wesbite
Charity begins at home for NBA star
One of the NBA’s most celebrated stars arrived in the USA from the Democratic Republic of Congo as a lanky teenager with dreams of becoming a doctor. In 2007 he returned with $10 million of his own money to build the country’s first new hospital in more than 40 years.
Dikembe Mutombo is to basketball what Paolo Maldini is to football. A defensive rock, and at 42 one of the oldest players in the league. The Congolese star currently plays for the Houston Rockets and has won NBA defensive player of the year on 4 occasions. He is also the second most prolific shot blocker in the NBA’s history.
Speaking exclusively to the Voice of Sport, Mutombo, declares proudly, “I love America, but I never forget home.” But it is his actions, not just his words that truly reflect the dedication of the 7ft 2 basketball stars commitment to ‘home’.
In 1997 he set up the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. A charitable organization dedicated to raising money and awareness of the plight of the people of the Congo – a country where civil war has seen millions killed and TB, Malaria and HIV/AIDS are a constant threat.
Through relentless campaigning and the support of organizations including the NBA Mutombo realized a life long dream and flew back to Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo, to open the Biamba Marie Mutombo hospital, named after his mother. He had fundraised $19 million and donated $10 million from his own pocket to make his dream a reality.
However, the Rockets defensive veteran insists he still has more work to do.
“I’m just doing my best as an international basketball player from Congo and I believe if each of us tries to do a little bit more beyond the court then we can be part of a solution.
“It would be great if the world powers could help to bring together all the different parties who are warring against each other. To help them try and find a resolution to the problems. There is so much killing going on, and raping of women – it’s not good.”
So what was it like growing up in the Congo for Mutombo?
“Despite some of the problems there were then I enjoyed growing up there. I didn’t play too much basketball back then – just a little bit in my senior year at high school. A lot of things have changed now. When I was there, there were no elections. Now there are democratic elections to elect government. So that has been a positive.”
Playing alongside some of the richest stars in the NBA you could be forgiven for assuming all the talk is about the latest super cars and expensive holiday homes. But according to Mutombo this isn’t the case.
“The NBA is very international with players from all over the world. When there are problems (in Congo) reported in the media my team mates will ask me about the situation. They are interested. They ask questions about my project and a few players have been to different parts of Africa to help out where they can.”
An international player Mutombo speaks fondly of is British NBA star, Luol Deng. A Chicago Bulls player born in Sudan, who arrived with his family in South London seeking asylum as a teenager.
“He has shown the world that if you work very hard you can get to the NBA. I talk to him a lot and think he’s a very courageous young man. I think the pain and the suffering he went through has been one of the things that has helped him drive forward in the NBA. His background has taught him to be strong when things are tough.”
Find out more about the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation at www.dmf.org
Published in The Voice, 9/02/09
Dikembe Mutombo is to basketball what Paolo Maldini is to football. A defensive rock, and at 42 one of the oldest players in the league. The Congolese star currently plays for the Houston Rockets and has won NBA defensive player of the year on 4 occasions. He is also the second most prolific shot blocker in the NBA’s history.
Speaking exclusively to the Voice of Sport, Mutombo, declares proudly, “I love America, but I never forget home.” But it is his actions, not just his words that truly reflect the dedication of the 7ft 2 basketball stars commitment to ‘home’.
In 1997 he set up the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. A charitable organization dedicated to raising money and awareness of the plight of the people of the Congo – a country where civil war has seen millions killed and TB, Malaria and HIV/AIDS are a constant threat.
Through relentless campaigning and the support of organizations including the NBA Mutombo realized a life long dream and flew back to Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo, to open the Biamba Marie Mutombo hospital, named after his mother. He had fundraised $19 million and donated $10 million from his own pocket to make his dream a reality.
However, the Rockets defensive veteran insists he still has more work to do.
“I’m just doing my best as an international basketball player from Congo and I believe if each of us tries to do a little bit more beyond the court then we can be part of a solution.
“It would be great if the world powers could help to bring together all the different parties who are warring against each other. To help them try and find a resolution to the problems. There is so much killing going on, and raping of women – it’s not good.”
So what was it like growing up in the Congo for Mutombo?
“Despite some of the problems there were then I enjoyed growing up there. I didn’t play too much basketball back then – just a little bit in my senior year at high school. A lot of things have changed now. When I was there, there were no elections. Now there are democratic elections to elect government. So that has been a positive.”
Playing alongside some of the richest stars in the NBA you could be forgiven for assuming all the talk is about the latest super cars and expensive holiday homes. But according to Mutombo this isn’t the case.
“The NBA is very international with players from all over the world. When there are problems (in Congo) reported in the media my team mates will ask me about the situation. They are interested. They ask questions about my project and a few players have been to different parts of Africa to help out where they can.”
An international player Mutombo speaks fondly of is British NBA star, Luol Deng. A Chicago Bulls player born in Sudan, who arrived with his family in South London seeking asylum as a teenager.
“He has shown the world that if you work very hard you can get to the NBA. I talk to him a lot and think he’s a very courageous young man. I think the pain and the suffering he went through has been one of the things that has helped him drive forward in the NBA. His background has taught him to be strong when things are tough.”
Find out more about the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation at www.dmf.org
Published in The Voice, 9/02/09
Monday, 5 January 2009
South Africa’s Golden Boy – Uniting a Country
He is the fastest man in rugby, a World Champion, a record try scorer and last year’s International Rugby Board player of the year. Perhaps more importantly he is also a much needed ambassador for a country still overcoming a negative past.
Smiling broadly on a bitterly cold day in Berkshire, South African star Bryan Habana tells me that rugby is now playing a key role in helping to unify a country once torn apart by apartheid. He can think of no better example than the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, where South Africa beat New Zealand on home soil.
“Being able to watch the final with my Dad at Ellis Park was very special to me”, he says reminiscing. “With those role models stood there I wanted to grow up and make my contribution to what is a great country, a unique country and a very diverse country and be the same type of person who was able to break down barriers and lend to the building of a better nation”.
An iconic image from that day was of Nelson Mandela proudly wearing a Springboks shirt and cap. When Mandela presented South Africa captain Francois Pieenar with the trophy - at a time when rugby was considered one of the last bastions of white supremacy in the country - this act transcended the game.
“The way he (Nelson Mandela) brought people together, the way he unassumingly put Pieenar’s jersey on … after spending 27 years in prison, with no grudges and just wanting to help South Africa become a better place - that was very special for me”, says the 25 year old.
That day South Africa had just one black player in the team. Today they field as many as eight and Habana is very much the golden boy. Both black and white fans idolize the man. The team are also led by Peter De Villiers - a black manager – and seven of their twelve backroom staff are non white. Habana believes the diversity of the team is on merit.
“It really is a true rainbow nation now. It all started with Jake White (former coach) – before his era there was a lot of talk about transformation and giving quotas (of non white players) a run but at the end of the day whether you are black or white you are playing for the Sprinboks and you don’t want to be called a quota.”
The South African Rugby Federation (SARF) haven’t always helped matters. Habana refuses to criticize them but at the time of De Villiers appointment the President of SARF told the media the decision was ‘not entirely made for rugby reasons’.
“People talk about a political appointment but besides Jake White, Peter was the only other South African coach to win an Under 21 World Cup, and that speaks for itself”, he says passionately. “The Springboks won for the first time ever in New Zealand this year, we got a record score against England at Twickenham and it’s the first time the Springboks won all their end of year tour games - which last happened in 1997. So he’s done well and at the end of the day when his report card is being looked at I think the guys upstairs will be very happy.”
As our interview continues you can see Habana is feeling the cold. He currently plays his club rugby for the Blue Bulls in South Africa and a number of Guinness Premiership sides are queuing up for his services. So will he swap the South African sunshine for the English winter weather?
“I’ll never say never. But I’ve still got a lot to contribute in my home country”, he says with a shiver.
I put it to him that his contribution means a lot to black people outside of his country too. But he doesn’t wish to focus on colour – he feels just by talking in those terms can breed further segregation.
“By doing what I do, hopefully I inspire a generation of South Africans and not a generation based on colour. We need to break down walls and achieve success as a nation”.
Smiling broadly on a bitterly cold day in Berkshire, South African star Bryan Habana tells me that rugby is now playing a key role in helping to unify a country once torn apart by apartheid. He can think of no better example than the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, where South Africa beat New Zealand on home soil.
“Being able to watch the final with my Dad at Ellis Park was very special to me”, he says reminiscing. “With those role models stood there I wanted to grow up and make my contribution to what is a great country, a unique country and a very diverse country and be the same type of person who was able to break down barriers and lend to the building of a better nation”.
An iconic image from that day was of Nelson Mandela proudly wearing a Springboks shirt and cap. When Mandela presented South Africa captain Francois Pieenar with the trophy - at a time when rugby was considered one of the last bastions of white supremacy in the country - this act transcended the game.
“The way he (Nelson Mandela) brought people together, the way he unassumingly put Pieenar’s jersey on … after spending 27 years in prison, with no grudges and just wanting to help South Africa become a better place - that was very special for me”, says the 25 year old.
That day South Africa had just one black player in the team. Today they field as many as eight and Habana is very much the golden boy. Both black and white fans idolize the man. The team are also led by Peter De Villiers - a black manager – and seven of their twelve backroom staff are non white. Habana believes the diversity of the team is on merit.
“It really is a true rainbow nation now. It all started with Jake White (former coach) – before his era there was a lot of talk about transformation and giving quotas (of non white players) a run but at the end of the day whether you are black or white you are playing for the Sprinboks and you don’t want to be called a quota.”
The South African Rugby Federation (SARF) haven’t always helped matters. Habana refuses to criticize them but at the time of De Villiers appointment the President of SARF told the media the decision was ‘not entirely made for rugby reasons’.
“People talk about a political appointment but besides Jake White, Peter was the only other South African coach to win an Under 21 World Cup, and that speaks for itself”, he says passionately. “The Springboks won for the first time ever in New Zealand this year, we got a record score against England at Twickenham and it’s the first time the Springboks won all their end of year tour games - which last happened in 1997. So he’s done well and at the end of the day when his report card is being looked at I think the guys upstairs will be very happy.”
As our interview continues you can see Habana is feeling the cold. He currently plays his club rugby for the Blue Bulls in South Africa and a number of Guinness Premiership sides are queuing up for his services. So will he swap the South African sunshine for the English winter weather?
“I’ll never say never. But I’ve still got a lot to contribute in my home country”, he says with a shiver.
I put it to him that his contribution means a lot to black people outside of his country too. But he doesn’t wish to focus on colour – he feels just by talking in those terms can breed further segregation.
“By doing what I do, hopefully I inspire a generation of South Africans and not a generation based on colour. We need to break down walls and achieve success as a nation”.
Friday, 5 December 2008
Cipriani’s role is BLACK and WHITE
Lewis Hamilton, Theo Walcott, David Haye and Danny Cipriani are all leading mixed race sports stars.
Cipriani’s inclusion in that list may well raise a few eyebrows – although the familiar Trinidadian surname will give his background away to those from the island.
The England rugby star tells me, “most people look at me and think I’m Italian or something”, but it doesn’t take long before his straight talking and confidence clearly convey his West Indian roots. It is the same confidence which has helped to set him apart from his peers. The man tipped to replace Jonny Wilkinson as the golden boy of rugby union is more than a bit special.
Cipriani’s Trinidadian father, Jay, now lives in the West Indies and the England fly half says he is more than familiar with the Islands. “I spent a lot of my early years in Trinidad”, Cipriani enthuses. “I used to go in the school holidays for between six to eight weeks every year to see all my cousins, aunts and uncles. We used to have massive family get togethers and have the best time ever. My whole family on my Trinidadian side is black and I feel very mixed race and that's what I always put down on any forms because I'm very proud of it.”
And there is not a flicker of hesitation when asked what his favourite Trinidadian dish is, “Roti... Goat roti! I like that one best”, he beams.
It was his enthusiasm for Trinidad that brought him together with Touraid - a children's charity that brings schools and rugby clubs in the UK together with similar organisations around the globe that support disadvantaged young people. A team from Trinidad are involved for the first time this year and Cipriani was keen to be an ambassador for the youngsters visiting the UK.
“I think this is probably the first trip these guys from Trinidad have had outside of their own country so it's great that they'll spend a week with some other kids and experience a different culture”, he says.
Aware of both sides of his heritage, Cipriani nods his head and chuckles as we discuss having to tick the box labeled ‘other’ when filling out forms that fail to recognize mixed race people. He’s proud of his background and hopes he and other black rugby stars can attract more members of the community to play the game.
“I would love to be a role model for the black community - but obviously people look at me and don't see it. But there are also a lot of black and mixed race people who can see it. I hope I can be a role model in the community because I would have been in a completely different place if it wasn't for both my mum and my dad.”
But the 20 year old, who has just returned from a career threatening injury, hasn’t always made the headlines for sporting reasons. A catalogue of kiss and tell stories in the tabloid press, getting dropped from the England team after being pictured at a wine bar the night before a game and his relationship with television star Kelly Brook have dominated the front pages.
Despite all of this he comes across as sensible, grounded and uninterested in what others may think. He looks just as comfortable chatting away to starry eyed youngsters while signing autographs as he does answering questions from the press. He says he owes his success to his parents, particularly his mother, Anne, a black cab driver who worked long hours to find the money to send him to private school.
“If it wasn't for my mum then I wouldn't have gone to the nice school and been able to take part in what I wanted to do. She wanted me to be a doctor and I always wanted to play rugby so that's where we had our slight differences. But I owe her everything.”
Cipriani’s inclusion in that list may well raise a few eyebrows – although the familiar Trinidadian surname will give his background away to those from the island.
The England rugby star tells me, “most people look at me and think I’m Italian or something”, but it doesn’t take long before his straight talking and confidence clearly convey his West Indian roots. It is the same confidence which has helped to set him apart from his peers. The man tipped to replace Jonny Wilkinson as the golden boy of rugby union is more than a bit special.
Cipriani’s Trinidadian father, Jay, now lives in the West Indies and the England fly half says he is more than familiar with the Islands. “I spent a lot of my early years in Trinidad”, Cipriani enthuses. “I used to go in the school holidays for between six to eight weeks every year to see all my cousins, aunts and uncles. We used to have massive family get togethers and have the best time ever. My whole family on my Trinidadian side is black and I feel very mixed race and that's what I always put down on any forms because I'm very proud of it.”
And there is not a flicker of hesitation when asked what his favourite Trinidadian dish is, “Roti... Goat roti! I like that one best”, he beams.
It was his enthusiasm for Trinidad that brought him together with Touraid - a children's charity that brings schools and rugby clubs in the UK together with similar organisations around the globe that support disadvantaged young people. A team from Trinidad are involved for the first time this year and Cipriani was keen to be an ambassador for the youngsters visiting the UK.
“I think this is probably the first trip these guys from Trinidad have had outside of their own country so it's great that they'll spend a week with some other kids and experience a different culture”, he says.
Aware of both sides of his heritage, Cipriani nods his head and chuckles as we discuss having to tick the box labeled ‘other’ when filling out forms that fail to recognize mixed race people. He’s proud of his background and hopes he and other black rugby stars can attract more members of the community to play the game.
“I would love to be a role model for the black community - but obviously people look at me and don't see it. But there are also a lot of black and mixed race people who can see it. I hope I can be a role model in the community because I would have been in a completely different place if it wasn't for both my mum and my dad.”
But the 20 year old, who has just returned from a career threatening injury, hasn’t always made the headlines for sporting reasons. A catalogue of kiss and tell stories in the tabloid press, getting dropped from the England team after being pictured at a wine bar the night before a game and his relationship with television star Kelly Brook have dominated the front pages.
Despite all of this he comes across as sensible, grounded and uninterested in what others may think. He looks just as comfortable chatting away to starry eyed youngsters while signing autographs as he does answering questions from the press. He says he owes his success to his parents, particularly his mother, Anne, a black cab driver who worked long hours to find the money to send him to private school.
“If it wasn't for my mum then I wouldn't have gone to the nice school and been able to take part in what I wanted to do. She wanted me to be a doctor and I always wanted to play rugby so that's where we had our slight differences. But I owe her everything.”
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Rio Ferdinand - Living the Dream
Most Premier League footballers are stretched out on a beach now, so it’s hardly an unfamiliar sight to see Manchester United and England defender, Rio Ferdinand, in the departure lounge Heathrow. His destination would have raised a few eyebrows though.
Ferdinand, who won the Champions League and Premier League double this year, was heading to one of Africa’s largest and busiest cities - Lagos in Nigeria. He was on a mission to use the power of the game to help raise the aspirations of millions of young people, but why Africa? “I’ve always been aware and conscious of Africa and other parts of the world,” he says.
Not since the visit of football icon Pelé over 30 years ago had a top international football star come to the West African country – home of the Super-Eagles. I was given exclusive access to the most expensive defender in the world on the trip courtesy of NVA Management.
A weary Ferdinand, flanked by security guards, landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the early hours. He was immediately mobbed by hundreds of fans and members of the Nigerian media as he attempted to make his way from the arrivals gate to a car, waiting to whisk him away to his hotel. Officials from the Lagos State say that it is the kind of reception very few dignitaries or celebrities receive in Nigeria, but Ferdinand is already a very special man here – so special that within 36 hours of touching down Ferdinand received yet another title.
The traditional ruler of Lagos, King Rilwan Akiolu, bestowed the title “Chief Fiwagboye,” on Ferdinand at his palace in Lagos. Fiwagboye means: “Character maketh wealth,” explained the King explained to his most recent Chief. “To be honest, I was a little embarrassed to be named a Chief,” says Ferdinand. “I'm not sure I’m worthy but it is something to be proud of really. It’s something to tell the lads. I’m sure they’ll be very happy to call me Chief.”
Having visited an orphanage and launched a Street Soccer tournament, aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to exercise more regularly, he finds time in his busy schedule to explain to me why he chose to come to Nigeria and where his motivation to work with young people comes from.
“I came here to inspire children, I feel obliged to give them hope that they can become important people, not only in football but in life as well,” he says. “I could always see myself doing something like this, even when I was a lot younger. I always had a vision of setting up an academy or community based project in different parts of England and then try to take that model into other countries. I’ve always thought about stuff like this. I’m sure lots of other people have too, but it’s about doing it. I think now is the right time for me to start making these ideas become a reality.”
And what of the reception he received from the Nigerian public? “I’ve found Nigeria very warm and welcoming,” he says with affection. “The people have been very, very nice to me since I arrived. I think they are somewhat surprised that I’ve come over here and didn’t really expect it to happen. But as I’ve said to those who thought I wouldn’t come, I grew up in Peckham – which is like a mini Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Caribbean island all in one. It’s nice to come and see different parts of the world and see what all my mates have been talking about as kids growing up.”
Ferdinand always makes a point of not only posing for pictures but making a speech at the projects he visits in Nigeria. He speaks from the heart with confidence and talks at length about his home – Peckham. “Having grown up on the estates I’ve always said I would never forget about my area and where I was from,” he says. He still returns to South London regularly. His experiences of growing up on his estate shaped the vision for a charitable organization the “Rio Ferdinand - Live the Dream Foundation” that he will launch later this year.
“Going back to my estate and keeping in contact with people I grew up with is important to me,” he says explaining why this is a mission very dear to him. “On my estate there were a lot of people that worked with children, most who did it for free. It was those people I found inspiring. They used their own time and interrupted their own lives to help young people on the estates on the adventure playgrounds and in youth clubs. I always said if I didn’t make it as a footballer I’d like to do something involving sports and young people – become a community worker. A lot of my mates work for Southwark borough - where I’m from – working with young people. I’m sure if I hadn’t become a footballer I’d be there with them.”
Ferdinand hopes to make similar trips to Asia, the Middle East, deprived areas of Europe and other parts of Africa in the coming years to continue to inspire young people in other parts of the world.
Growing up in multicultural Peckham, the England defender has had a number of different cultural influences on his life and reflects on his own personal experience of being of mixed race. It is an issue he has never been asked about in his career, but has always been ‘more than happy’ to speak about. “Being mixed race I think I’ve had the best of both worlds,” he says. “My mum and dad were both really strong on making sure I knew everything about where my dad was from and the family roots and the same goes for my mum’s side. I’ve never spent time with just one side of the family. I’ve always spent just as much time with each side, so I’ve always had a good understanding of who I am and where I’m from. I think some problems come when you have people who don’t have a good understanding of both sides of their culture – just one. It’s important that when you’re from a mixed background you know exactly where you’re from.”
Having lifted the Premier League and Champions League trophies as stand-in captain this season and being given the captaincy for England against France, Ferdinand is aware that his achievements mean a lot to those who look up to him. “Where I’m from there is a mixed culture – black kids, white kids, Turkish kids, Asian kids, Chinese kids,” he says. “I think the kids from those areas, like Peckham, will be inspired and think ‘if I work hard and you put something in you’ll get your rewards.’ When I am wearing the armband – be it for club or country – I’m sure it does send a message to young people from the community who may be having a hard time.”
Playing devil’s advocate and to test his knowledge of black footballers achievements I ask him who the two previous black England captains were. “Incey did it and Sol Campbell did it,” he replies without hesitation. And with a wry smile he continues: “I read The Voice and am in touch with the black community, so I’m aware of these things.”
With the pending decision over who will become the next permanent England captain Ferdinand is keen to stress that he feels Manager Fabio Capello would never consider colour as part of the process. “At the end of the day the manager’s going to pick the right man for the job, whether you’re black, white, blue or green. If you’re the right man, he’ll pick you. I don’t think he’d ever judge you on your background.”
Despite what many would deem a phenomenal season, Ferdinand feels he has a lot more to achieve in the game. “The feeling you get when you win becomes an addiction,” Ferdinand explains. Nevertheless, he is very critical of performances that didn’t reach his high standards. “I take it as a personal insult, when you lose or draw a game when you felt you should have won - your pride is just beaten up.”
He picks out the FA Cup game against Portsmouth as a massive disappointment and tries to explain what it’s like to lose. “I can’t begin to tell you the stuff that goes on in a changing room after you’ve lost,” he says with an increased intensity to his voice. “Then when I get home I’m the worst company ever. I’ve got such a problem with losing – even in training. I’m such a bad loser, but more often that not I’ve been happy this year.”
There are more important things than football to him – much bigger. The one thing that always brings a smile to Ferdinand’s face is his young family. In a message he leaves in the orphanage message book he writes about a sense of perspective. He keenly talks about his daily routine of getting up early with his two-year old son, Lorenz, to practice the toddler’s ‘Ronaldo’ tricks. “When I tell him to ‘do Ronaldo,’ he knows that means to do loads of step-overs and skills,” says Ferdinand proudly. “He’s good at it as well and is working on it every day.”
Does he think that the perspective he’s gained from being a father has helped him grow as a person? “You go home and your little boy isn’t judging you on how you played or looking at you thinking my dad lost today,” Ferdinand tells me. “He’s just happy to have me back at home. Whereas I used to be on a massive downer after some games where we lost, it cheers you up to come home to a family. The way you approach life becomes completely different.”
By Leon Mann
Ferdinand, who won the Champions League and Premier League double this year, was heading to one of Africa’s largest and busiest cities - Lagos in Nigeria. He was on a mission to use the power of the game to help raise the aspirations of millions of young people, but why Africa? “I’ve always been aware and conscious of Africa and other parts of the world,” he says.
Not since the visit of football icon Pelé over 30 years ago had a top international football star come to the West African country – home of the Super-Eagles. I was given exclusive access to the most expensive defender in the world on the trip courtesy of NVA Management.
A weary Ferdinand, flanked by security guards, landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the early hours. He was immediately mobbed by hundreds of fans and members of the Nigerian media as he attempted to make his way from the arrivals gate to a car, waiting to whisk him away to his hotel. Officials from the Lagos State say that it is the kind of reception very few dignitaries or celebrities receive in Nigeria, but Ferdinand is already a very special man here – so special that within 36 hours of touching down Ferdinand received yet another title.
The traditional ruler of Lagos, King Rilwan Akiolu, bestowed the title “Chief Fiwagboye,” on Ferdinand at his palace in Lagos. Fiwagboye means: “Character maketh wealth,” explained the King explained to his most recent Chief. “To be honest, I was a little embarrassed to be named a Chief,” says Ferdinand. “I'm not sure I’m worthy but it is something to be proud of really. It’s something to tell the lads. I’m sure they’ll be very happy to call me Chief.”
Having visited an orphanage and launched a Street Soccer tournament, aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to exercise more regularly, he finds time in his busy schedule to explain to me why he chose to come to Nigeria and where his motivation to work with young people comes from.
“I came here to inspire children, I feel obliged to give them hope that they can become important people, not only in football but in life as well,” he says. “I could always see myself doing something like this, even when I was a lot younger. I always had a vision of setting up an academy or community based project in different parts of England and then try to take that model into other countries. I’ve always thought about stuff like this. I’m sure lots of other people have too, but it’s about doing it. I think now is the right time for me to start making these ideas become a reality.”
And what of the reception he received from the Nigerian public? “I’ve found Nigeria very warm and welcoming,” he says with affection. “The people have been very, very nice to me since I arrived. I think they are somewhat surprised that I’ve come over here and didn’t really expect it to happen. But as I’ve said to those who thought I wouldn’t come, I grew up in Peckham – which is like a mini Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, Caribbean island all in one. It’s nice to come and see different parts of the world and see what all my mates have been talking about as kids growing up.”
Ferdinand always makes a point of not only posing for pictures but making a speech at the projects he visits in Nigeria. He speaks from the heart with confidence and talks at length about his home – Peckham. “Having grown up on the estates I’ve always said I would never forget about my area and where I was from,” he says. He still returns to South London regularly. His experiences of growing up on his estate shaped the vision for a charitable organization the “Rio Ferdinand - Live the Dream Foundation” that he will launch later this year.
“Going back to my estate and keeping in contact with people I grew up with is important to me,” he says explaining why this is a mission very dear to him. “On my estate there were a lot of people that worked with children, most who did it for free. It was those people I found inspiring. They used their own time and interrupted their own lives to help young people on the estates on the adventure playgrounds and in youth clubs. I always said if I didn’t make it as a footballer I’d like to do something involving sports and young people – become a community worker. A lot of my mates work for Southwark borough - where I’m from – working with young people. I’m sure if I hadn’t become a footballer I’d be there with them.”
Ferdinand hopes to make similar trips to Asia, the Middle East, deprived areas of Europe and other parts of Africa in the coming years to continue to inspire young people in other parts of the world.
Growing up in multicultural Peckham, the England defender has had a number of different cultural influences on his life and reflects on his own personal experience of being of mixed race. It is an issue he has never been asked about in his career, but has always been ‘more than happy’ to speak about. “Being mixed race I think I’ve had the best of both worlds,” he says. “My mum and dad were both really strong on making sure I knew everything about where my dad was from and the family roots and the same goes for my mum’s side. I’ve never spent time with just one side of the family. I’ve always spent just as much time with each side, so I’ve always had a good understanding of who I am and where I’m from. I think some problems come when you have people who don’t have a good understanding of both sides of their culture – just one. It’s important that when you’re from a mixed background you know exactly where you’re from.”
Having lifted the Premier League and Champions League trophies as stand-in captain this season and being given the captaincy for England against France, Ferdinand is aware that his achievements mean a lot to those who look up to him. “Where I’m from there is a mixed culture – black kids, white kids, Turkish kids, Asian kids, Chinese kids,” he says. “I think the kids from those areas, like Peckham, will be inspired and think ‘if I work hard and you put something in you’ll get your rewards.’ When I am wearing the armband – be it for club or country – I’m sure it does send a message to young people from the community who may be having a hard time.”
Playing devil’s advocate and to test his knowledge of black footballers achievements I ask him who the two previous black England captains were. “Incey did it and Sol Campbell did it,” he replies without hesitation. And with a wry smile he continues: “I read The Voice and am in touch with the black community, so I’m aware of these things.”
With the pending decision over who will become the next permanent England captain Ferdinand is keen to stress that he feels Manager Fabio Capello would never consider colour as part of the process. “At the end of the day the manager’s going to pick the right man for the job, whether you’re black, white, blue or green. If you’re the right man, he’ll pick you. I don’t think he’d ever judge you on your background.”
Despite what many would deem a phenomenal season, Ferdinand feels he has a lot more to achieve in the game. “The feeling you get when you win becomes an addiction,” Ferdinand explains. Nevertheless, he is very critical of performances that didn’t reach his high standards. “I take it as a personal insult, when you lose or draw a game when you felt you should have won - your pride is just beaten up.”
He picks out the FA Cup game against Portsmouth as a massive disappointment and tries to explain what it’s like to lose. “I can’t begin to tell you the stuff that goes on in a changing room after you’ve lost,” he says with an increased intensity to his voice. “Then when I get home I’m the worst company ever. I’ve got such a problem with losing – even in training. I’m such a bad loser, but more often that not I’ve been happy this year.”
There are more important things than football to him – much bigger. The one thing that always brings a smile to Ferdinand’s face is his young family. In a message he leaves in the orphanage message book he writes about a sense of perspective. He keenly talks about his daily routine of getting up early with his two-year old son, Lorenz, to practice the toddler’s ‘Ronaldo’ tricks. “When I tell him to ‘do Ronaldo,’ he knows that means to do loads of step-overs and skills,” says Ferdinand proudly. “He’s good at it as well and is working on it every day.”
Does he think that the perspective he’s gained from being a father has helped him grow as a person? “You go home and your little boy isn’t judging you on how you played or looking at you thinking my dad lost today,” Ferdinand tells me. “He’s just happy to have me back at home. Whereas I used to be on a massive downer after some games where we lost, it cheers you up to come home to a family. The way you approach life becomes completely different.”
By Leon Mann
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Brent Sancho - Get up, Stand up
The past two years have been like a roller-coaster ride for Trinidad and Tobago defender Brent Sancho - with more ups and downs that anyone would care to stomach. The former Gillingham and Dundee footballer has been blacklisted from the Trinidad and Tobago team, since October 2006, despite being one of the key performers at the 2006 World Cup in Germany - the islands’ first time at the tournament.
The reason for his omission from the team - Sancho dared to stand up to the game’s administration on the Caribbean islands after the players were offered a feeble tournament bonus of £500 each for their heroics in Germany. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) had previously promised them a significant pay out.
Sat in a café in Shepherds Bush, west London, he reflects on a nightmare eighteen months and the prospect of watching his beloved Soca Warriors take on England in Port of Spain without him on June 1st, but he still has his memories. He begins our interview by reflecting on what he says was the best time in his life.
“The way I saw it - just one good game against England and I’d be playing for Man U next season,” he jokes. “But in all seriousness, I did see it as a way to take a significant step up in my career, so at that point in time everything was focused to do well at the World Cup. It was all go. The whole of Trinidad was so excited and I was so happy to be part of it.”
Sancho remembers the reaction of his country to their achievement proudly. “Everyone you ever knew was calling to congratulate you,” he says. “You couldn’t walk anywhere in Trinidad! I’ve never ever seen anything like that for any sport or political event in Trinidad. The footballers were received as gods.”
He was euphoric at that time and so were the people of Trinidad - traditionally a cricket-loving island that produced the record-breaking great Brian Lara. “At that point in time everyone was happy,” says Sancho. “The vibe between the footballers and the administrators was a jovial one. Everyone was really excited about going to the World Cup. You could snap your fingers and get anything you wanted from the administrators at that point.”
They went to Germany and surprised a few pundits on the way. They returned from the World Cup to a hero’s welcome and they deserved it, but their joy proved short-lived. Just two months after a début World Cup campaign where the Soca Warriors were globally adopted as everyone’s second team, the players passed around a spreadsheet with details of their tournament bonus.
“We got the spreadsheet and it said our tournament bonus was £500 each,” says Sancho. “The boys were just gutted. We were all just puzzled. When you look at some of the sponsors - ten million US dollars from Adidas, another five million from a local company in Trinidad and many others all giving money - and to think we just got £500 each. We’ve calculated the boys are owed around £80-90,000 each and if not where is that money?”
The question of where the money is remains unanswered. Sixteen of the twenty-three players in the squad, including Shaka Hislop, Stern John, Kelvin Jack and Chris Birchill, decided to approach the TTFF about the situation. They weren’t interested. “They wouldn’t listen to us,” says Sancho, “or talk - didn’t take our phone calls and basically just dismissed us.”
The sixteen players refused to be ignored and began to organise. They began legal proceedings and set up a players’ union with the help of Kevin Harrison from the Professional Footballers Association’s financial management team in the United Kingdom. “We didn’t want things to go this far,” says Sancho with obvious regret that it became necessary to take these steps. “I mean we are footballers and all we want to do is play the game, but we were left with no choice.”
Eighteen months later the players had taken the TTFF to arbitration in London and won. Each player is now expected to receive a reported £140,000, but for Sancho and those who took the TTFF to court, it was never about the money. It was about making a point about how the game on the islands was being run. The Trinidadian defender feels there is only one option for the current rulers at the TTFF.
“I think a lot of the current administrators need to step away and give new people a chance to take the football forward,” he says. “Things need to be sorted now. I really feel that the talent in Trinidad is phenomenal - just the administration let things down. The footballers are aspiring to be professional but the administrators are not.”
And the exile of the talented sixteen has clearly affected the progress of Trinidad and Tobago on the pitch. After the World Cup the tiny Caribbean nation rose to forty-four in FIFA’s rankings. They are down in the eighties now. Their federation recently celebrated their centenary with a politically charged match against England. Few can deny they felt the loss of those players keenly. Their performance proved that the current ranking was deserved.
Sancho believes that players’ unions can help to improve the game not just in the Caribbean but globally. “I think players’ unions are the most essential thing for the development of football in Trinidad and across the Caribbean Islands and African countries too,” he says. “The reason I say that is because I’m sure that our situation has happened elsewhere before.”
Honouring the payment of bonuses is indeed a vexed issue and Sancho is right. It has happened elsewhere. Togo’s players almost boycotted the World Cup itself over the failure to pay bonuses. It thoroughly disrupted their preparation for the African Cup of Nations in 2006 as well. A dismal performance in Egypt cost their Nigerian coach Stephen Keishi his job, despite the historic qualification for Germany at his homeland’s expense. Otto Pfister took over and almost resigned before arriving at the World Cup. He supported the players’ demands for the bonuses to be paid. They were led by Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor. He too was isolated over it, but Togo’s coaches - Pfister and later Keishi again - refused to be intimidated and continued to pick the rebels led by Adebayor. Nevertheless, it ruined what should have been a wonderful experience for them and their country.
“There needs to be a voice to represent the players to prevent the problems we in Trinidad and Tobago are facing now,” says Brent Sancho. “Probably some of us will never see a red shirt again in our life and we need to ensure this doesn’t happen again - to anyone. Caribbean and African countries need to realise that where there is unity there is strength. For example, look at the situation where the Togo players during the World Cup had to deal with non footballing issues instead of focusing on their game. With a union they would have not had to deal with that.”
Sancho clearly felt let down by the seven Trinidad and Tobago players who chose not to stand alongside the sixteen players who approached the TTFF. Although he names no one specifically, it’s hard not to question captain and star player, Dwight Yorke’s decision to take a back seat on the issue. “I must admit I’m extremely disappointed with the boys who didn’t stand up and that they didn’t show the same unity that got us to the World Cup and through the tournament,” he says. “If we had stood up as a team then this thing would have been done and dusted a long time ago, but because just sixteen of the twenty-three stood up, it’s taken a little bit longer.”
Nevertheless, they had support. The Soca Warriors’ fans stood united behind the exiled players throughout the ordeal. Before the arbitration result was made public, they had planned to wear black t-shirts to the England game to symbolically show their continued support.
“It is really heartening to see the fans supporting the blacklisted players,” says Sancho. “I spoke to Chris Birchill the other day. He’s twenty-three and his international career is almost effectively over because he stood up against the TTFF with us. He was practically in tears. It’s so frustrating that people like he, I and others are being prevented from representing our country. To see the fans acknowledge that the World Cup players should be there is touching. I’d love to meet the fans to say thanks.”
Having talked through issues off the pitch it’s appropriate to tackle a burning question regarding an incident on it. Did England striker Peter Crouch pull Sancho’s dreadlocks in the 2-0 defeat at the World Cup?
“He definitely did!” says Sancho. “After the game a reporter asked me if Crouch had pulled my dreadlocks, and I was surprised he saw it. I was so happy that someone had seen it, because at the time, I couldn’t believe it had happened. I was almost in denial! But it did happen and I’m sure Peter would say it was accidental, so I wouldn’t hold anything against him, but he definitely did pull them. I was very disappointed afterwards because up until that point I felt we could’ve held on for the point.” While Sancho doesn’t hold it against Crouch fans of the Soca Warriors clearly have long memories. Crouch came on as second half substitute in the match in Port of Spain. His every touch was loudly booed.
With little hope of ever playing for the Soca Warriors again, does Sancho believe he could help turn the TTFF around if he was able to move into the administration of the game in years to come? Would he even want to make this move?
“I think a lot of the problems we have is that many of the administrators we’ve had live in the ice age!” he says. “They need to realize that football is progressive and it is a business as well.” He wants to see them prepare better and utilise the talent that they have at their disposal. “One of the things they like doing is preparing for a tournament just one week before and stuff like that needs to go because we have the talent. For example, when people thought there wasn’t going to be a next Dwight Yorke, up steps Kenwyne Jones.”
Sancho bears no grudges. “I’m a massive patriot at heart,” he says. “I’d do anything for my country and maybe at times that is my downfall. I would definitely go back to help out my country but only if things were done the right way. I’m a strong believer in hard work and in doing things the right way. I’ve been fortunate to come over here (England) and see how the structure of the game can work, so if those things are implemented correctly it would take Trinidad a long, long way.”
His international career may be over - hopefully not - but Sancho and his blacklisted colleagues have blazed a trail that should result in the reorganisation of the sport’s administration in the country and beyond. Their efforts have already been rewarded and not just at the arbitration hearing. They have won plaudits around the world for successfully standing up for their rights.
But perhaps their greatest legacy is that the Football Players’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago was not only established thanks to them, but is gathering support and strength as they being to sign up players across the islands. It would be no surprise to see these pioneers on the pitch help to resolve the issues that have bedevilled the administration of the game in Trinidad and Tobago in years to come and lead the nation to another World Cup adventure.
By Leon Mann
The reason for his omission from the team - Sancho dared to stand up to the game’s administration on the Caribbean islands after the players were offered a feeble tournament bonus of £500 each for their heroics in Germany. The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) had previously promised them a significant pay out.
Sat in a café in Shepherds Bush, west London, he reflects on a nightmare eighteen months and the prospect of watching his beloved Soca Warriors take on England in Port of Spain without him on June 1st, but he still has his memories. He begins our interview by reflecting on what he says was the best time in his life.
“The way I saw it - just one good game against England and I’d be playing for Man U next season,” he jokes. “But in all seriousness, I did see it as a way to take a significant step up in my career, so at that point in time everything was focused to do well at the World Cup. It was all go. The whole of Trinidad was so excited and I was so happy to be part of it.”
Sancho remembers the reaction of his country to their achievement proudly. “Everyone you ever knew was calling to congratulate you,” he says. “You couldn’t walk anywhere in Trinidad! I’ve never ever seen anything like that for any sport or political event in Trinidad. The footballers were received as gods.”
He was euphoric at that time and so were the people of Trinidad - traditionally a cricket-loving island that produced the record-breaking great Brian Lara. “At that point in time everyone was happy,” says Sancho. “The vibe between the footballers and the administrators was a jovial one. Everyone was really excited about going to the World Cup. You could snap your fingers and get anything you wanted from the administrators at that point.”
They went to Germany and surprised a few pundits on the way. They returned from the World Cup to a hero’s welcome and they deserved it, but their joy proved short-lived. Just two months after a début World Cup campaign where the Soca Warriors were globally adopted as everyone’s second team, the players passed around a spreadsheet with details of their tournament bonus.
“We got the spreadsheet and it said our tournament bonus was £500 each,” says Sancho. “The boys were just gutted. We were all just puzzled. When you look at some of the sponsors - ten million US dollars from Adidas, another five million from a local company in Trinidad and many others all giving money - and to think we just got £500 each. We’ve calculated the boys are owed around £80-90,000 each and if not where is that money?”
The question of where the money is remains unanswered. Sixteen of the twenty-three players in the squad, including Shaka Hislop, Stern John, Kelvin Jack and Chris Birchill, decided to approach the TTFF about the situation. They weren’t interested. “They wouldn’t listen to us,” says Sancho, “or talk - didn’t take our phone calls and basically just dismissed us.”
The sixteen players refused to be ignored and began to organise. They began legal proceedings and set up a players’ union with the help of Kevin Harrison from the Professional Footballers Association’s financial management team in the United Kingdom. “We didn’t want things to go this far,” says Sancho with obvious regret that it became necessary to take these steps. “I mean we are footballers and all we want to do is play the game, but we were left with no choice.”
Eighteen months later the players had taken the TTFF to arbitration in London and won. Each player is now expected to receive a reported £140,000, but for Sancho and those who took the TTFF to court, it was never about the money. It was about making a point about how the game on the islands was being run. The Trinidadian defender feels there is only one option for the current rulers at the TTFF.
“I think a lot of the current administrators need to step away and give new people a chance to take the football forward,” he says. “Things need to be sorted now. I really feel that the talent in Trinidad is phenomenal - just the administration let things down. The footballers are aspiring to be professional but the administrators are not.”
And the exile of the talented sixteen has clearly affected the progress of Trinidad and Tobago on the pitch. After the World Cup the tiny Caribbean nation rose to forty-four in FIFA’s rankings. They are down in the eighties now. Their federation recently celebrated their centenary with a politically charged match against England. Few can deny they felt the loss of those players keenly. Their performance proved that the current ranking was deserved.
Sancho believes that players’ unions can help to improve the game not just in the Caribbean but globally. “I think players’ unions are the most essential thing for the development of football in Trinidad and across the Caribbean Islands and African countries too,” he says. “The reason I say that is because I’m sure that our situation has happened elsewhere before.”
Honouring the payment of bonuses is indeed a vexed issue and Sancho is right. It has happened elsewhere. Togo’s players almost boycotted the World Cup itself over the failure to pay bonuses. It thoroughly disrupted their preparation for the African Cup of Nations in 2006 as well. A dismal performance in Egypt cost their Nigerian coach Stephen Keishi his job, despite the historic qualification for Germany at his homeland’s expense. Otto Pfister took over and almost resigned before arriving at the World Cup. He supported the players’ demands for the bonuses to be paid. They were led by Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor. He too was isolated over it, but Togo’s coaches - Pfister and later Keishi again - refused to be intimidated and continued to pick the rebels led by Adebayor. Nevertheless, it ruined what should have been a wonderful experience for them and their country.
“There needs to be a voice to represent the players to prevent the problems we in Trinidad and Tobago are facing now,” says Brent Sancho. “Probably some of us will never see a red shirt again in our life and we need to ensure this doesn’t happen again - to anyone. Caribbean and African countries need to realise that where there is unity there is strength. For example, look at the situation where the Togo players during the World Cup had to deal with non footballing issues instead of focusing on their game. With a union they would have not had to deal with that.”
Sancho clearly felt let down by the seven Trinidad and Tobago players who chose not to stand alongside the sixteen players who approached the TTFF. Although he names no one specifically, it’s hard not to question captain and star player, Dwight Yorke’s decision to take a back seat on the issue. “I must admit I’m extremely disappointed with the boys who didn’t stand up and that they didn’t show the same unity that got us to the World Cup and through the tournament,” he says. “If we had stood up as a team then this thing would have been done and dusted a long time ago, but because just sixteen of the twenty-three stood up, it’s taken a little bit longer.”
Nevertheless, they had support. The Soca Warriors’ fans stood united behind the exiled players throughout the ordeal. Before the arbitration result was made public, they had planned to wear black t-shirts to the England game to symbolically show their continued support.
“It is really heartening to see the fans supporting the blacklisted players,” says Sancho. “I spoke to Chris Birchill the other day. He’s twenty-three and his international career is almost effectively over because he stood up against the TTFF with us. He was practically in tears. It’s so frustrating that people like he, I and others are being prevented from representing our country. To see the fans acknowledge that the World Cup players should be there is touching. I’d love to meet the fans to say thanks.”
Having talked through issues off the pitch it’s appropriate to tackle a burning question regarding an incident on it. Did England striker Peter Crouch pull Sancho’s dreadlocks in the 2-0 defeat at the World Cup?
“He definitely did!” says Sancho. “After the game a reporter asked me if Crouch had pulled my dreadlocks, and I was surprised he saw it. I was so happy that someone had seen it, because at the time, I couldn’t believe it had happened. I was almost in denial! But it did happen and I’m sure Peter would say it was accidental, so I wouldn’t hold anything against him, but he definitely did pull them. I was very disappointed afterwards because up until that point I felt we could’ve held on for the point.” While Sancho doesn’t hold it against Crouch fans of the Soca Warriors clearly have long memories. Crouch came on as second half substitute in the match in Port of Spain. His every touch was loudly booed.
With little hope of ever playing for the Soca Warriors again, does Sancho believe he could help turn the TTFF around if he was able to move into the administration of the game in years to come? Would he even want to make this move?
“I think a lot of the problems we have is that many of the administrators we’ve had live in the ice age!” he says. “They need to realize that football is progressive and it is a business as well.” He wants to see them prepare better and utilise the talent that they have at their disposal. “One of the things they like doing is preparing for a tournament just one week before and stuff like that needs to go because we have the talent. For example, when people thought there wasn’t going to be a next Dwight Yorke, up steps Kenwyne Jones.”
Sancho bears no grudges. “I’m a massive patriot at heart,” he says. “I’d do anything for my country and maybe at times that is my downfall. I would definitely go back to help out my country but only if things were done the right way. I’m a strong believer in hard work and in doing things the right way. I’ve been fortunate to come over here (England) and see how the structure of the game can work, so if those things are implemented correctly it would take Trinidad a long, long way.”
His international career may be over - hopefully not - but Sancho and his blacklisted colleagues have blazed a trail that should result in the reorganisation of the sport’s administration in the country and beyond. Their efforts have already been rewarded and not just at the arbitration hearing. They have won plaudits around the world for successfully standing up for their rights.
But perhaps their greatest legacy is that the Football Players’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago was not only established thanks to them, but is gathering support and strength as they being to sign up players across the islands. It would be no surprise to see these pioneers on the pitch help to resolve the issues that have bedevilled the administration of the game in Trinidad and Tobago in years to come and lead the nation to another World Cup adventure.
By Leon Mann
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