… take on Cuba today at the GCC ground
TELECOMMUNICATIONS service provider Digicel and beverage giant Banks DIH Limited yesterday made a timely donation to Guyana’s Lady Jaguars ahead of their return fixture against Cuba in the CONCACAF/Gold Cup today at the GCC ground, Bourda.
At a simple ceremony held in the boardroom of their Kingston office, Digicel’s head of marketing, Jacqueline James, handed over a cheque for $500 000 to organising secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major. “Digicel is always there for sports, playing their part particularly in Guyana’s development with the youngsters and today we are pleased to be associated with the Lady Jaguars and wish them all the best when they take the field today,” stated James.
Major thanked the sponsors for their timely contribution, which would be used towards the hosting of the game.
“On behalf of the GFF, I must say thanks to Digicel, who are always on board with us, for this timely donation. We are extremely grateful for same and look forward to working with them in the future, towards the further development of football in Guyana.”
At Thirst Park, Banks DIH marketing executive, Carlton Joao, handed over an undisclosed sum of money to president of the Guyana Sports Foundation (GSF) and programme director for the Lady Jaguars, Colin Baker.
Baker thanked the sponsors for their contribution on behalf of the GFF, Lady Jaguars and the football fraternity and promised to make the country proud with a victory over the Cubans today.
Joao welcomed the Lady Jaguars and their management team to Banks DIH Limited, the local producers of Coca Cola.
“As you are aware, Coca Cola is the official drink for football and here at Banks DIH, we are the local producers and bottlers of Coca Cola, so I would like to say to the Lady Jaguars, welcome to Banks DIH!
I know you have an uphill task ahead of you when you face the Cubans tomorrow (today), but with the help of the Guyanese public and all the support you will be having when you take the field, you will be successful and come out victorious.
“At Banks DIH, we are glad to be on hand and most importantly, we are representing Coca Cola who is extremely big in football, so how could we have said no to you.
“Congrats to all who made it happen and congrats to you the members of the team. Keep the work up, even though it is hard, and continue striving for success in all your endeavours.”
Meanwhile, in an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Baker said the chance of the Lady Jaguars going to the Gold Cup is great.
“We feel good at the moment and the string of success we have been having since the programme commenced speaks volumes for us, so we are brimming with confidence, while the mood in the camp is great.
Having said that, we know we have to win by two clear goals, having lost the first match to them one-nil, so while some may say the pressure is on us, it’s not really on us but them as they have to stop us from getting those two goals and how they intend to do it I don’t know, as the girls are hungry for success.
We need the public to come out and throw their support behind us, as we will be making history by becoming the first team from Guyana to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, hence making our country proud,” said Baker.
Both Joao and James were presented with a replica Lady Jaguars’ jersey, an autographed ball and a mini plaque, before the Lady Jaguars had an intense practice session at the Banks DIH ground.