The Government of Guyana (GoG) has made a timely monetary contribution towards the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Golden Jaguars’ inaugural sojourn at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup in the USA.
This commitment was made even as Guyana wraps up its participation at the premier tournament with its final match today against Trinidad and Tobago in Kansas City.
President Wayne Forde, who is in the USA following the progress of the team, commented on the support given by the GoG and singled out the Hon. Dr. George Norton MP, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport for the role he played in making the investment possible.
“The GFF wishes to express deep appreciation to the Government of Guyana and the Minister of Sport for this timely show of tangible support, which certainly empowers the programme and our desire to show the football world what Guyana is capable of. I can assure you that your partnership has given the players and technical staff a major boost knowing that the government is fully behind them in their quest to represent the Golden Arrowhead with pride in this historic journey.”
President Forde correspondingly said that the momentum built at the Concacaf Gold Cup would be strengthened going forward reminding that Guyana will, in September, be contesting the Concacaf Nations League ‘B’ competition, Group ‘G’, which also has Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and Aruba. Guyana’s first match would be away to Aruba on September 6.
“We look forward to the continued strengthening of this partnership with the Government and Ministry of Social Cohesion as we work to build a product that will fly the Golden Arrowhead with pride in both the male and female segments of our beautiful sport.”
Following their final pre-match training last evening, Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Michael Johnson, joined in expressing gratitude for the contribution.
“On behalf of the Men’s Senior Team, everybody connected to Guyana, just want to say how much we appreciate your kind gesture in supporting the programme. It really does go a long way to ensure that we can do as best as we can to make the nation proud. So, from the bottom of our hearts, just one more time, thank you so much.”
The GFF, led by President Forde, had pulled out all the stops to ensure that Guyana was well prepared for their Group ‘D’ matches against defending champions, USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago by investing in an overseas camp, which saw the team travelling to Bermuda and Costa Rica where they engaged in friendly internationals against Bermuda and Haiti, the latter played in Costa Rica.
This investment came at a great cost to the GFF, but President Forde disclosed that it was absolutely necessary given the fact that the Concacaf Gold Cup is the pinnacle of rivalry in the confederation and therefore warranted the Federation giving the team the requisite high level of preparation.
Guyana’s flagship senior team, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ gave a very good account of themselves in their matches against Concacaf powerhouse USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, the three nations collectively playing well over 100 Concacaf Gold Cup matches between them, Guyana playing a mere three.
While many felt that the only English-speaking country in South America was just at the Concacaf Gold Cup to make up numbers, they were all pleasantly surprised by the level of play and passion exhibited by the Guyanese. (GFF)
