We will be with you all the way, says Sport Minister Anthony
… Golden Jaguars gets theme song AS 11.11.11 was historic for Guyana’s football, so was yesterday’s launching of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Golden Jaguars Campaign to the 2014 FIFA World Cup North, Central America and Caribbean zone, round three qualifier matches which will see the Jaguars facing Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico in home and away matches to qualify for Brazil.
This historic launching was held at the Princess Hotel, Providence and heard the rendition of the Golden Jaguars’ new theme song `I am a Guyanese’ sung by X’2 Adrian Dutchin  and Jomo Primo,.
In what was described as a commitment to pride, support and national unity, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, in addressing the gathering pledged on behalf of President Donald Ramotar and the Government of Guyana their continued support to the GFF, in its preparation to host the home matches
The home matches will commence on June 12 with Guyana facing Costa Rica, followed by El Salvador on September 11 and Mexico on October 12 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The Minister lauded the team’s achievements and remembered that five (5) years ago we had started a similar project to achieve a place to the World Cup finals and failed but indicated that today a number of things have happened.
“We have today presented a brand to our national football team, the Golden Jaguars. We now have a theme song for the national football team and he noted that the only way our people will unite is through sports.”
Anthony also mentioned a key ingredient to the team’s success – teamwork – and made mention of two important events of the past on which he reflected.
The first was the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup where ‘Team Guyana’ came out and worked to make it a success and it was. The second he recalled was CARIFESTA, where similar support was given and success achieved.
The Sport Minister insists that once again for the Golden Jaguars, we must all come out as Team Guyana and have our support shown in every way for the success of our national team.
He explained that he was informed of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) and urged that this committee should have representation from the government.
He added that in that way the intervention of personnel, logistics and finance will be coordinated to the support of the Golden Jaguars.
Speaking on the coach’s comments he noted that Jamaal Shabazz has given tremendous support, helping Guyana‘s football to the stage we are today and he deserves the kudos and more at present, acknowledging Shabazz as a Guyanese.
The Minister pointed out that Shabazz’s efforts have made us all proud and noted that in a few days we will be celebrating our 46th Independence anniversary as a nation and urged the support of the nation for the Golden Jaguars.
“We have the hunger to win and with the GFF, Government, the LOC and support of the nation, we will surely do it”.
In closing he congratulated all present and restated that “we will be with you all the way”.
There were also short presentations from representatives of the companies who are sponsors of the Golden Jaguars’ World Cup campaign.  One of them, Ms Alexis Langhorne of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), indicated her Company’s pleasure at being associated with the Golden Jaguars through their Pepsi and Gatorade brands and, as a part of corporate sports development, which at this time was significantly needed, while they hastened to wish the Jaguars success on their way to the upcoming matches.
John Mikoo, Ansa McAl Trading Stag Beer Brands Manager, highlighted his company’s  passion in the sports blood in Guyana and said how excited he felt to be a part of this historic process in Guyana’s football, concluding his remarks by wishing the team success.
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s (GT&T) Chief Financial Officer, Royston Rachpaul, said it was no surprise that football has grown, creating created history in Guyana. He reminded the team and its management of the tough road ahead and urged them to work, while pledging his Company’s full support.
GT&T is confident that Guyana will get through to the finals in Brazil in 2014. He wished the Golden Jaguars all the best to make Guyana proud.
Bakewell Marketing Representative Jacob Nanan, in his short address indicated that his company has always supported football and has always contributed to the Golden Jaguars, adding that all of Guyana and Bakewell will be rallying behind the team.
President of the GFF’s USA-based chapter, Colin Baker, in his short speech where he was expected to make a presentation for Son Sports, echoed similar sentiments of support and best wishes. Son Sports is one of the equipment sponsors for the Golden Jags.
Dutchin presented his rendition of the Golden Jaguars’ theme song and all who were present joined in the singing.
Acting president of the GFF, Franklyn Wilson, made mention of the sponsors and their contribution to the governing body to date, but called for continued support as our footballers set out to make us proud.
Tickets for the Golden Jaguars first home game will go on sale next week at Ashmins Trading Complex at the cost of G$1 500.
Those present at the launching were Rose Gunraj, Ashmins Group of Companies; Muharrem Kulekci, General Manager Princess Hotel;  Jamaal Shabazz, head coach of the Golden Jaguars and Noel Adonis, GFF General Secretary.
Also present were former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd, now Sports Adviser to the President of Guyana; Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; K. Juman-Yassin, president of the Guyana Olympic Association; Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey Major of the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation; Dion Inniss, representative of Caribbean Airlines; Alfred King, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and members of the Golden Jaguars who are currently preparing for the Parbo Bier Cup tournament to be held in Suriname next week, among others.