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President Ali rallies behind Lady Jags ahead of CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship
By Rawle Toney
Kaieteur Sports- President Irfaan Ali paid a visit yesterday to the Lady Jags’ final training session before their departure for the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, set for May 29 – June 8 in Costa Rica.
Guyana will compete in Group A, alongside hosts Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the tournament’s most successful team, the United States.
The Lady Jags will kick off their campaign on Friday, May 30, with a daunting opener against the USA.
U20 Lady Jags, Heike Clarke, makes a presentation to President Irfaan Ali.
They will then face the home side, Costa Rica, on June 1, before wrapping up the group stage against Puerto Rico on June 3.
During his visit to the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Centre, President Ali, accompanied by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., pledged the Government’s full support.
He also promised performance-based incentives, as the tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
“I want to congratulate you on the enormous pride that you’ve brought to this country,” President Ali told the players. “But it’s not only that you’ve brought pride to us, more importantly, you’ve placed women’s football on a historic stage for Guyana.”
The President reminded the team that they are not just representing Guyana, but the entire CARICOM region, as Guyana is the only Caribbean nation competing in the eight-team tournament.
Speaking to the diverse group of players, President Ali, whose term as CARICOM Chair ended in March, said, “We (CARICOM) are all in. We are in this together. And I will make an initial investment in you to help with your preparation.”
In a further show of support, President Ali announced performance incentives for every win at the tournament. “We are going to incentivise your performance. You have our full support, the love from Guyana, and we are confident in your ability. We believe you’re going to do well.”
President Irfaan Ali (centre) along with Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr (centre right) and GFF President Wayne Forde (centre left) during the President’s visit to the U20 Lady Jags.
GFF president Wayne Forde thanked President Ali for his continued support of football in Guyana, saying, “His Excellency has been very gracious to our football programme across every level. Recently, the Government supported us with major improvements right here at the NTC, which made a huge difference in the comfort of our fans and our national teams.”
Forde added, “In all my experience, every time we’ve called on His Excellency to support our national teams and football as a whole, he has answered the call. We’re honoured to have him spending time with the girls.”
Guyana’s appearance in Costa Rica marks their second time at the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship.
The Lady Jags made history in 2020 by reaching the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Haiti.
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