The Warrior Spirit

Over the last two weeks, I have had the splendid privilege of dipping in and out of Germany to take part in one of the world’s greatest sporting events, the Fifa World Cup, 2006. The setting for the tournament cannot be criticised as some of Deutschland’s magnificent cities host hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout June and July, displaying the core German attributes of impeccable organisation, envious transportation infrastructure and the most impressive and overwhelming amicability of the Germans.

My first impression on arrival to Düsseldorf Airport was sealed by a smiling immigration officer, who, once ascertained that I was part of the Warrior Nation, could not help himself lauding the Soca Warriors and their valiant efforts thus far. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have never met a smiling immigration officer in all my travels! By the end of the match against England, on my departure from Düsseldorf, I was alarmed by someone in the airport calling my name: the same immigration officer! He remembered my name! He shook hands with me consolingly and assured me as only a German officer can, that we would triumph over Paraguay!

Being based in Dortmund and Nurnberg thus far, I have been absolutely blown away by the hospitality of the Germans, furthermore, if no one knew, you know now, in Germany, Trinidad &Tobago has become the underdog kings, Trinbagonians, the spice of Deutschland, and we are loved by everyone! At every corner you hear the cry ‘Soca Warrior’! We’ve become an adopted people, the team even the Germans want to meet at the final! Warrior supporters will attest to my sentiments, but I believe we have become a veritable symbol of ‘Fair Play’, in that we have the spirit that truly encompasses the sport and this is appreciated and yearned for by even the most die hard of football fans in Germany, fans who would like to ‘lose’ 2-0 and still make more noise than their rivals and party just as fervently as all the other nationals in town!

WM 2006 (Werde Meisterschaft 2006) teaches an invaluable tenet of life and at a very critical time, that the unity sought on a national scale, drummed up from the streets of Port of Spain, San Fernando, Curepe, Laventille, Scarborough and Castara can be reflected internationally by the simple formula of teaching by example. I am proud to declare that Trinbagonians epitomise this unity in Germany, our scintillating presence far surpassing the clichés of old and for the world to see, a country of unified, multicultural smiles that are a true representation of a Soca Warrior. We have lifted the spirits of the World Cup and will leave our mark on Germany for time to come.

Soca Warriors vs Paraguay – 20th June – Kaiserslautern. We done mash up!