CONCACAF President Jack Warner received congratulations Monday from FIFA President Sepp Blatter on his Trinidad internal party election victory, calling it "a vibrant testimony" of his political career.

Warner was elected as chairman of the United National Congress party in a Sunday vote that also selected Kamla Persad-Bissessar as its political leader - the No. 1 post of the opposition party.

""I am certain that you will take this responsibility and that you will rise to the challenge to continue building a better future for Trinidad and Tobago," Blatter wrote. "It gives me great pleasure to wish you the force and all the success for the challenges ahead of you."

Warner, a FIFA vice president and member of the executive committee, is a member of the Trinidadian parliament representing the Chaguanas West district. He defeated incumbent chairman Mr. Vasant Bharath for one of 18 party posts contested in the internal election.

"People believe that sport and politics are intertwined, but it is not for the reason that has been professed," Warner said. "In sport you understand your role as a vehicle for social transformation. I simply adapt that comportment and principle to my politics."