National football coach praises effort of local players; calls for tangible support

Oct 05, 2012 Sports

They have competed among several high ranking teams and have experienced fluctuating fortunes in the process; currently wallowing at the bottom of the points table with two other matches to be played. While the fans are disheartened by such turn of events, the ‘Golden Jaguars’, Guyana’s premiere footballers, remain just as focused as in earlier matches as they prepare to tackle Mexico at the BBVA Campass Stadium, Houston Arizona, in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Friday October 12 next.
Initially, the match was to have been played at the National Stadium, Providence, but the executives of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) convened a press conference at their Section K Campbellville office yesterday morning and revealed that following approval of the world ruling football authority, FIFA and CONCACAF, and assent by football officials in the USA, the decision was taken. However, football fans are asked not to be despondent since, according to Mr. Wilson, the match would be shown live following negotiations with the relevant authorities.

Laying out the details: (from left) GFF General Secretary, Noel Adonis, President (ag), Franklyn, Head Coach, Jamal Shabazz and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ major at yesterday’s news brief.

The GFF President was joined at the forum by his General Secretary, Noel Adonis, Head Coach, Jamal Shabazz and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major. He reminded that Guyana had successfully, and in the face of severe financial challenges, hosted two of the three games played in Guyana including matches against Costa Rica and El Salvador.
“The financial requirements were indeed prohibitive but we received valuable support for which we would like to extend deepest gratitude,” said Mr. Wilson. He further said that while GFF executives would have liked to have hosted the Mexico match, the current circumstances preclude such an eventuality.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shabazz was loud in praise of the team’s efforts during the qualifiers. He admitted that he was a mite despondent with the team’s current standing at the bottom of the table but said that from the very onset he had recognized the huge chasm that separated the local ball weavers from the other teams in the group. Mr. Shabazz cited several shortcomings that hindered the team’s progress including inadequate financial support from the corporate entities coupled with the lukewarm support of the patrons. “It is time that we realize that sponsorship is not a handout given to patronize a situation,” said the outspoken coach. He further emphasized the need to broaden the scope of the sport to all ten administrative regions. Mr. Adonis was also loud in praise for the local players and endorsed that the decision to shift the match was confirmed by FIFA last week shortly after the El Salvador match. Mexico, on 12 points after winning all 4 of their matches, is the only member of Group B that has already qualified for the next round, while the Guyanese ball weavers are at a tenuous juncture of the tournament where their very advancement depends on the outcome of several other matches. The imminent Mexico match is a must win for the Golden Jaguars and will be played on the same day that El Salvador tackle Costa Rica.
The advancement of the local ball weavers is dependent on the outcome of the El Salvador/Costa Rica duel. Should the former team win then the Golden Jags would have to kiss the World Cup Qualifiers goodbye irrespective of the outcome of the Mexico match, while the winner of the El Salvador/Costa Rica duel advances with the losers joining the Guyanese squad on the sidelines.