Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Team spirit high ahead of Saturday’s clash with Suriname
-Klass renews call for local support from business community
By Rawle Welch
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass in an interview with Kaieteur Sport yesterday at the entity’s Head Office in Section ‘K’ Campbellville, said that the overseas encampment was a good one and he expects Guyana to advance to the group stages of their 2010 World Cup campaign which begins on Saturday against Suriname in Paramaribo.
Klass, who recently returned to the country after witnessing a few of the team’s sessions in Trinidad and Tobago where they were encamped, informed that all the players are fully committed to making Guyana proud and has been working hard during the sessions ahead of their opening clash against Suriname.
The squad of 20 players has been working under the watchful eyes of Technical Director Jamal Shabazz along with Head Coach Wayne Dover and his Assistant Kavin Pearce.
He added that apart from mid-fielder Shawn Bishop, who will return home due to injury and a few niggles affecting a couple of overseas-based players, everything else is in place for a successful start to our quest to make it to South Africa in 2010.
“The spirit in the camp has been good and the players have displayed the sort of commitment to the sessions that I feel will reap positive dividends and make this country proud,” Klass disclosed.
The Guyanese had warm-up matches against Trinidad and Tobago (2 times), T&T Pro League club San Juan Jabloteh, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba (2 times) and Grenada.
The other scheduled game against Barbados was cancelled at the last minute, a development Klass referred to as disappointing.
The GFF Boss said he was hoping that we can continue our recent dominance over Suriname which started in the Digicel Cup when they lost 5-0 to us, while our juniors have had good success against them as well.
Touching on other issues, Klass mentioned that he was still a bit disappointed by the lack of support from the local business sector, adding that had it not been for the kindness of entities such as Church’s Chicken, Laparkan and Digicel, Guyana’s preparations for such an event would have been nothing short of disastrous.
“I am very thankful for their support and a few individuals in the Twin Island Republic who’ve pitched in and offered their support,” he stated.
He, however, pointed out that should Guyana get past Suriname, they will then advance to the group stage where the possibility exist we could very well meet many of the top teams in CONCACAF some of whom we’ve never played before, but could also include T&T.
“I do not have to tell you what could be the likely scenario; we may very well see some of those Trinidadian entities pulling their support from us and offering it to their national team and rightly so.”
He urged more local companies to come forward now and pledge their support because if the team advances then they will require a higher level of preparation which ultimately involves a substantial amount of funding.
“I am therefore renewing my call to the corporate sector to come on board and demonstrate the same kind of commitment they showed for Cricket World Cup.”
Asked if the Government was aware of the possibility of Guyana playing a minimum of five more matches here, the GFF Head responded by saying that Stadium Manager Anthony Xavier was notified of the likelihood, but to date no firm discussions were held.
However, he did say that he expects to engage the authorities on the matter very shortly.
Klass, also called on all Guyanese to fill the Stadium come June 22, adding that it would be disappointing if it is not.
He called on fans to wear colours of gold in support of the Golden Jaguars.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A call for more cultural centres
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Burnham’s decision to divert the Indian Immigration Fund towards constructing the National... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
