T&T Football Association (TTFA) led by the FIFA Normalization Committee (NC) sprung into action to assist three national footballers, who Guardian Media Sports reported on Thursday, were left stranded in El Salvador.
The NC, which is headed by businessman Robert Hadad and comprises attorney Judy Daniel and retired banker Nigel Romano, has teamed up with the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation (FESFUT) to ensure that national footballers Jomal Williams, Jamal Jack and Jomoul Francois, currently stranded in El Salvador, are kept safe and healthy until they can make their way back to T&T in light of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions.
The players, who have each represented the Soca Warriors senior team, were playing in El Salvador's Primera Division for the 2019/20 season but were facing increasing pressure to meet their daily demands after that country's government implemented lockdowns which forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season.
Defender Jack offered his genuine appreciation to all those involved in making the provisions possible.
“Mr Robert Hadad, a heartfelt thanks to you and your team for reaching out to us. We appreciate what you did for us,” said Jack. “I am sincerely grateful for the assistance.”
Jack and Francois joined El Salvadorian clubs Jocoro FC and Independiente FC San Vicente respectively in Januar while compatriot Williams signed for AD Isidro Metapan in July.
In March, the government of El Salvador declared a national quarantine in the fight against COVID-19 and has imposed strict measures to reduce the spread of the virus which has directly limited the footballers' movements and access to food and other supplies.
Managing Director of Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd Clive Fletcher liaised with Unicomer Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mario Siman to ensure that the players are now housed together and taken care of until T&T's borders are reopened.
The Unicomer Group operates in 27 countries from its headquarters in El Salvador and operates retail brands of the Unicomer Caribbean such as Courts, Courts Optical, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, RadioShack, Lucky Dollar and Servitech.
"TTFA would also like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance offered by Meybely Lopez and the president of the El Salvador Football Federation, and the player's clubs in making the arrangements possible," according to the football association's release.
"The TTFA will continue to communicate with the players to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible until they can return home. The players have expressed thanks to the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation for their continued support."