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“I saw complete commitment on and off the pitch, football in a good place,” – Márcio Máximo
By Franklin Wilson
Márcio Máximo (left) and Wilson Toledo.
Kaieteur News – Head Coach of the Guyana Football Federation (GGF Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) Márcio Máximo has expressed satisfaction and optimism that the game is destined to greater heights in 2021.
Máximo and members of his Technical Team including Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Head of Coaches Education, Wilson Toledo who witnessed all the action that unfolded at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence in the GFF, Kashif & Shanghai, Ministry of culture Youth and Sport (MCYS) Bounce Back Football Classic exuded satisfaction with the level of commitment towards the game that was displayed by all and sundry, on and off the pitch.
“The commitment I’ve seen gives me huge hope to better days coming soon, to big achievements that will put football on plateaus that it is never supposed to leave.”
The experienced tactician was pleased to see the level of tactical discipline exhibited by the players for the most part including many of the young and emerging players that have been part of the national grid.
“Like Kelsey Benjamin, Nicholas Mc Arthur, Cortez Kellman, Jeremy Garrett, Rafael Edwards, most young players did very well and this is great for football in Guyana; it’s a great time because the talent is there. So you should encourage them to play.”
Also making an impact were the teenagers who appeared, the likes of 16 year-old Darren Niles (West Demerara) and 17 year-old Omari Glasgow (East Coast) among others who did well. He also singled out all the Coaches for the job that they have been doing and the impact they have been making.
“This encourages us and motivates us to continue our programme; to maintain our targets because it’s tough games coming for us. We have to maintain our principles and convictions that we can do it, it’s not impossible. I repeat that Guyana has lots of talent and we should encourage them to play continuously and give them hope to play in the national team.”
The Brazilian was also high in praise for the initiative of bringing the final live on television and returning to the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. “Thanks so much for all who were involved in making the event possible and congratulations.”
The GFF is set to have a hectic year with the SMNT competing in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F Qualifiers commencing in March. The teams in this group are Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Puerto Rico and Bahamas.
While the task is challenging, Máximo is optimistic: “Maybe they say that Trinidad is favourite but it must be proven on the pitch. Even Guatemala but it should be proved on the pitch. We believe in our group and our ability to advance. We have a good mix of experienced and young players here and overseas that we can achieve great things with the right support.”
It is hoped that physical training and tests will commence shortly with the covid-19 guidelines to be strictly enforced. It is also hoped that following the physical tests, tactical training will commence in earnest in short order thereafter.
The support of the Government of Guyana through Minister, the Honourable Charles Ramson Jnr. was highly commended by Máximo, who is coaching his fifth National team and alluded to the fact that governments play a vital role in the overall scheme of things when it comes to success.
“All the national teams that I’ve been involved with had the full support of their governments and what I have seen here for this tournament looks exciting for Guyana. The support of the private sector is also critical here and their combined support for Mr. Forde and the GFF I think is very crucial and timely for Guyana’s football development.”
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