-Shabazz calls two tier system tremendous
LOCAL beverage manufacturing and distribution company Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) yesterday through their Diamond Mineral Water/Gatorade and Pepsi brand of products, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). At the simple ceremony held in the GFF’s boardroom, DDL’s Sales Manager Alexis Langhorne and acting president of the GFF Franklyn Wilson signed the document in the presence of Technical Director (TD) of the GFF Jamaal Shabazz, Marketing Assistant Almira Kassim and GFF’s General Secretary Noel Adonis.
Both Wilson and Langhorne said the partnership between the two parties was an ongoing one, but the signing of the MOU made it official.
“DDL and brand Pepsi are pleased to partner with the GFF for the hosting of the third round 2014 World Cup qualifying matches and friendly international games, involving the Golden Jaguars.
At DDL, we are always looking for opportunities to support our sportsmen and what better time to do so, than at this auspicious moment.”
“This is a proud moment not only for the Jags, but for all Guyanese as our boys have worked hard to raise the level of their performance which has brought them to this juncture,” said Langhorne.
She added, “DDL and Pepsi have always placed an emphasis on sports and its development and the signing of this MOU is a testimony of this fact. In addition to providing financial assistance for the tournament, we will also be refueling the players and officials with Gatorade and Diamond Mineral Water for the matches and during their encampment period.”
Langhorne wished the GFF and the Golden Jaguars all the best in their future endeavours, while saying DDL looks forward to working with both during the tournament and in the future, as they are confident the Golden Jaguars will make Guyana proud.
Wilson reminded Corporate Guyana, that the team is not a GFF one but a Guyana team and the GFF is looking forward for more support from the business community, as the task ahead is not an easy one for his body.
“This is a special campaign which required special treatment, special funds and special partnership and I am happy that DDL has given into our request to come on board and be a part of us ensuring that Guyana qualifies for the finals of the World Cup.
We are very, very happy. Of course we have made a call before to Corporate Guyana for them to get on board with us, obviously  recognizing that the team is not a just a football team but rather a Guyana team and we are trusting that  more corporate entities will get on board with us,” Wilson stated.
He added, “It’s vital for us to know that we have the kind of impact at this level. The technical staff and players have been doing a tremendous job on the field of play and in practice and I must say that DDL and Pepsi along with Gatorade and the Diamond Mineral Water brands, would have been supporting us even before the signing of the MOU today.
So far for the year, we would have played close to eight or nine games. In February we played five games and prior to that, the team was encamped for two games in French Guyana as well, prior to us playing in Martinique and Guadeloupe, with DDL being on board with us all the time.
So as we said, it’s just a matter of formalizing the partnership with DDL today and we want to thank DDL officially for being with us  for not only talking the talk but walking the walk and we know that Shabazz  and the team will continue to keep the Golden Arrow head aloft.”
Tremendous
Meanwhile, Shabazz applauded the two tier system, calling its implementation by the GFF, an ambitious and tremendous move that is paying dividends today.
“How is it possible that Guyana have reached to this stage, where we have two teams? One team preparing for the clash against Mexico and in the same moment, we have a team playing in the Parbo Bier Cup in Suriname.
To me, this is a historical moment and we are happy that DDL can participate with us in this moment, as now we can cater for the first team, which is the best of the best,” said Shabazz.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago born TD, it does not matter where the player is born, once they are Guyanese, then they can represent the country as the first team caters for the best of the best.
“Our other team which goes to the Parbo Bier Cup in Suriname next week, are mostly local based players who are younger and missed out on selection. It’s easy now for the staff from the top team to call the staff that is going to Suriname, to locate a substitute player for the top team, based on their recommendation.”
He told his audience that such switches amongst teams only occur in high level programmes and it is great to see such a small nation as Guyana, being in a primary position to do so, as it augurs well for the world’s largest sport in the Land of Many Waters, as he believes the team can continue to advance.
The Golden Jaguars leave today for Jamaica where they will be joined by Carl Cort, Shawn Beveney and Kayode Mc Kinnon as they take on the Reggae Boyz on Friday, followed by a closed door game against an unknown opponent.
“It is still not a full complement of players, as we are missing the services of the Newton brothers (Jake and Howard, Chris Rogers and J.P Rodrigues, just to name a few and who will be joining us at a later stage of our preparation.
This game against Caribbean Giants Jamaica, who will be throwing the entire bucket at us, will be important for us. We played Trinidad and shared the spoils and after leaving Jamaica, we will take on one of CONCACAF’s high level teams in the Panama national team on Sunday behind closed doors,” said Shabazz.
He said the Golden Jaguars will be having a hectic period leading up to their June 8th fixture against Mexico, with several closed door matches while the team will be encamped at an undisclosed location out of Guyana.