The Board of the T&T Pro League confirmed at a meeting yesterday, that there will be a 2019/2020 football season, and 12 clubs, inclusive of Club Sando, which initially supported an extension of the Ascension Invitational Football League, has agreed to play.
Following an exclusive Guardian report of a $3 million sponsorship deal in Wednesday's newspapers, the pro league, club officials and administrators immediately began putting things in place for a scheduled October 4 start.
The newly rebranded pro league will feature 12 teams instead of 10, as Cunupia FC and another team, still to be confirmed, have been added to the roster.
Following a lengthy meeting at the Home of Football in Balmain Couva, a statement issued by the Board of the ProLeague with the headline 'Pro League Clubs Agree to Continue Professional League' stated: "Professional football will play and have a 2019/20 season. As a board, we feel while all the forms of football are important, the professional league is vital towards the overall social and sporting development of T&T. The Board feels that players, coaches and administrators should continue working as paid professionals and we have an obligation to provide fans with a high-level football."
It added, "All 10 professional clubs including Club Sando have agreed to play in the 2019/20 season and two other clubs have shown interest in joining. We remain members of the T&TFA formed Commission and while we await the outcome of the future of the Commission, we will proceed to organize the T&T Pro League."
The release continued: "Concerning funding, we are exploring the use of promised Government funds as well as interests shown by entities in the private sector. Over the last 18 years, clubs, owners and sponsors have collectively invested over 25 million dollars, in addition to government's subventions into the Pro League by successive Governments of T&T. Forward ever."