FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ‘Golden Jaguar’ Jeremy Garrett calling for more faith in local players and programme

Mar 21, 2021 Sports

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Kaieteur News – By Franklin Wilson in the Dominican Republic, compliments of Secure Innovations & Concepts, Fazia’s Motor Spares and GFF

Arising from humble beginnings from Tiger Bay in the City and rising to the highest pinnacle in the sport having represented his nation at the Under-15, 17, 19, 20, 23 and now senior levels, ‘Golden Jaguar’ Jeremy Garrett is calling for more support and faith being shown the local players by all and sundry.

Currently on duty with the Senior Men’s National Team in the Dominican Republic where Guyana is preparing for combat in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers, Garrett sat down with Kaieteur Sport to make his case.

“So first of all, it’s a pleasure to be on this team, it’s like a dream come true because I’ve played on every age group team coming right up to this level and it’s a joy to be here. With that being said, it’s kind of heart rending to see in the media that persons are bashing and talking down on local players suggesting that we are not ready and these things.”

The articulate, confident and talented defender who recently commenced a new chapter in life by starting his own business, Finish Line Express Delivery and Courier Service, noted that while himself and colleagues does not delve into comments and statements, their family and relatives do.

“As athletes who aim for professionalism, we don’t pay much attention to the negativity but we have family and friends who does and when they see and hear these things, they would come to us and ask questions. So, it’s kind of disturbing when your mom, dada and other family members can call you to ask questions based on what they are seeing, like these locals are not ready and things of that nature.”

“I understand that everybody has a preference and everybody obviously think or believe they know what’s best for the team but there must come a time when the local players must command a solid place in the team. With the vision that the GFF, TD Ian Greenwood and Coach Márcio Máximo have for the game by giving the local players way more visibility is very huge for us and we must commend them all for this remarkable move and having the confidence in us.”

Reminiscing that in time gone by the make-up of the national team would have been predominantly overseas based players, Garrett posited that real development cannot be achieved with such a stance.

“What can I say, as a youth born in Tiger Bay, as I said I’ve played at every age group level for my beloved Guyana to reach where I am now, what can I tell these youths in Tiger Bay, Leopold Street and Albouystown in terms of playing at the highest level when they too would have donned national colours at all the age group or some of those levels; that they cannot play because they haven’t played enough at the senior level? This does not make sense to me, so again I commend the move to ensure that the locals are given the opportunities to represent along with my brothers from overseas.?

Whilst acknowledging that there would not have been consistency in terms of playing and training in the past, Garrett noted however, that that posture has changed for the better.

“I would like people to understand that there is no real difference now between ourselves and our overseas brothers on the field, the only this is that they play more often than us and they might be playing at a more structure and higher level than us; however, when we step on the field together, we look like one playing with these guys. The experience might be different and that too will come with deliberate programmes being implemented by the GFF. But, playing wise there is no separation because the same techniques and so on, we can do the same.

So I want to encourage people to support the local talent because at the end of the day we also deserve that opportunity to grow and show what we can do to make Guyana proud, all of us. We love our overseas brothers and we are glad to have them.”

The new way forward by the GFF in terms of training which has been taking place five-days each week since January 5th has helped the locals tremendously, Garrett re-iterated.

“You can see that a lot of guys have improved, fitness wise the guys have improved for sure, technically we’ve done a lot of work so the programme has been helping us to keep up. SO now that the international players have come together with us, it’s looking like one team now. Nobody is ahead of nobody, the only difference as I’ve said is experience.”

Whilst covid-19 has stalled the commencement of the Elite League and other tournaments, The Guyana Defense Force player is optimistic that there would be an opening in the not too distant future to restart competitive playing.

He also has some words of encouragement for his fellow young players in striving to be the best: “My advice always to youngsters is to remain disciplined. I always tell them that there would be times when it’s going to be hard, times when it would seem that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Times when you look at yourself in the mirror and you automatically want to just give up everything but in those times, stay strong and stay disciplined to what you believe in.
Because anything you believe, you can achieve, I’m a strong believer in that.”

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