By Michael DaSilva

THE Golden Jaguars versus Canada international friendly football match was launched yesterday in the boardroom of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Dadanawa Street, Campbellville.The event, which will be played on May 15 at the Guyana National Stadium, is being staged to commemorate Guyana’s 50th year of independence as well as to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Guyana and Canada.
Present at yesterday’s launch were Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Pierre Giroux, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde, Guyana Jaguars head coach and Technical Director Jamal Shabazz and Golden Jaguars midfielder Eon Alleyne.
In very brief remarks, the Canadian High Commissioner said he and his country welcome the initiative, since, as Guyana celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent nation, it is also the 50th year that Guyana and Canada have been sharing diplomatic relations.
The High Commissioner revealed that there are about 200 000 Guyanese living in Canada and added that the game between Canada’s Olympic Qualifying Under-23 team and the Golden Jaguars will be a long-term relationship and he is keenly looking forward to it, as he knows it will be very exciting.
GFF president Forde, on the other hand, said it was a pleasant feeling when the Government of Guyana contacted the GFF and requested that the Federation should organise an international friendly to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence celebration.
Forde said he immediately made contact with GFF’s Football Ambassador and Canada’s Football Hall-of-Famer Alex Bunbury, who, according to Forde immediately made contact with the Canadian Ambassador, who readily agreed to the proposal of having the Canadian Under-23 Olympic team visit Guyana for the event. “And here we are today”, Forde stated.
Asked who will be funding the event, Forde informed that the event is a collaborative one between the GFF and the Canadian Embassy and the Guyana Government will not be burdened with any expense.
Forde called on all Guyanese to rally around the Jaguars, come May 15.
The Golden Jaguars Technical Director, Trinidadian Shabazz said it is a great feeling to have a game lined up against Canada’s national Under-23 team since it will give the Jaguars an opportunity to test themselves. It will also prepare the locals for their Scotiabank Caribbean Football Union’s Cup.
Shabaaz thanked the Guyana Government for including football as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Alleyne, in very brief remarks, said at the moment he was very excited to be a part of the team that will oppose the Canadians. It was always his dream to represent Guyana at such a level.
“I never thought I would have achieved this. It’s a dream come true,” Alleyne, the Fruta Conquerors player stated.