By a vote of seven to three, Chad Appoo beat out Chenelle Dookeeram for the 11th and final spot for travel to Spain, last Monday, ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Manchester United and Real Madrid.
A judging panel comprising winners of the ten previous spots in the Heineken 2016 UEFA Champions League (UCL) promotion titled ‘Join The Team’ gave Appoo the honour as the 11th man bound for Europe.
Guardian Media Limited’s Kevaughn “Lerbz” Savoury and independent DJ Patrick Anthony made the announcement at last week Wednesday’s season finale of the contest held at All Out Sports Bar on Tragarete Road in Woodbrook.
From a slate of five finalists, it came down to Appoo and Dookeeram. To get to this stage of the contest, however, contestants with the hope of being drafted had to prove their knowledge of the sport as witnessed during a question and answer segment. Later, hopefuls were seen speed-walking around the establishment to awaiting Heineken models with items of clothing for them to don that would constitute their team uniforms.
When dressed, contenders for his amazing prize they had demonstrate superior footwork by joggling the ball five times without having it touch the floor. Appoo and Dookeeram were neck-and-neck.
Then, before a panel that comprised the ten previous drafts in this year’s campaign—Kendal Latchman, Damian Baboolal, Shahinder Singh, Clive Thomas, Sheldon Chong, Adrian Foncette, Luzanne Fadahunsi, Chema Mark, Sheldon Augustine and Sherkifa Baptiste—Champions League hopefuls had to make a case, articulating what made one more deserving than the other.
At the end of the process, Appoo emerged the victor, and brought down the curtains on the exciting process to complete the selection of the Heineken T&T team off the UEFA Champions League 2016.