Seventeen players were shortlisted by the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) technical squad led by designated Head Coach Abdullah Hamid, following trials on Sunday last, as they commenced preparation for this year’s Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers 2017.
The squad has begun weekly training on Sundays in preparation for the competition, scheduled for the January 29- February 5, 2017 on Miami Beach, USA, and will have as its Assistant Coach, Dillon Roberts, while a Team Manager is to be announced.
This squad, which will be further shortlisted to 15 by the end of October, was drawn from the recently concluded National Beach Soccer League that was held from January to April in Kuru Kururu Village and Linden.
According to President of the Beach Soccer Association, Rollin Tappin, this is a great opportunity to raise the profile of Beach soccer in Guyana and he expects Guyana to do well.
“We’re using some players who have already had international exposure. Once we roll out preparations according to plan, Guyana will be making a good representation for itself; it augurs well for Beach soccer. It will give Beach soccer the boost it needs as it’s no longer a part-time sport. With Guyana’s geography and sand, it will definitely give us a boost going forward in our development.”
Two officials from Guyana – Rollin Tappin and Abdullah Hamid – will participate in a workshop in Miami on October 17-18, aimed at sensitising participating member associations of the tournament as well as participate in the official draw.
The trials were conducted at Bay Rock Beach Soccer Facility, Linden, over a two-week period, commencing September 11, and saw players from various clubs, including High Stars Attention Family, Cool Runnings Kurukururu Warriors, Royal Youths, Silver Bullets, Sparta Boss and Alexander Village FC.
Guyana is one of 16 countries vying for two spots in the competition within CONCACAF; only three will qualify and this is the country’s first time participating in this tournament.
The players shortlisted are: Travis Bess GK; Deon Tyrell GK; Kellon Major GK; Ethan Spartan GK; Jermaine Grandison; Marvin Sullivan; Kenard Simon; Tshekederi Whitehead; Gishawn Moore 10; Trevorn Archibald; Deshawn Joseph; Cordell Johnson; Rodwyn Fraser; Michael Wilson; Keon Sears; Jamal Haynes; and Tony Gilbert.
