AT the age of 16, footballer Jeremy Garrett has been given an opportunity that most Guyanese athletes go their entire lives without seeing.
The Guyana National football player will shortly be travelling to Portugal for a tryout at the number one football academy in the world at Sporting Lisbon.
“Initially I wasn’t even thinking about an academy” said Jeremy while talking to Chronicle Sport. According to the Phenom, he was just focused on going to college in the United States and trying to attain a scholarship.
“I was thinking about getting a scholarship to go to college in the States because I have some friends there who told me some things that were very encouraging,” he added.
However, that is not what God had in store for Garrett, who is a firm believer in God. His first brush with destiny came during a community game at the Fruta Conquerors ground where he was spotted by Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Alex Bunbury,who offered him that golden opportunity.

“I was playing a community game and he came up to me at half time and told me he liked how I was playing and I had a lot of skill… he asked me my age and when I said I was 16 he was like woah, I’ll make something happen for you,” stated Garrett.
After that game, there were to be more games that Jeremy would have his skills admired;and it wasn’t long before it was confirmed to him that he will be given the opportunity to try out for Sporting Lisbon.
According to Garrett,he had always had a plan he would follow. A plan which included writing 8 subjects at CSEC and passing all (which he did), playing for the senior national team (which he also did) and of course winning the Digicel Schools’ Football Championship- something he did in fine style for his team at the National Stadium earlier this year.
“I believe good things happen to those who wait, but I didn’t know this would happen after I decided to wait to apply to college next year,” said Garrett.

He credits the support of his family and the system at the Fruta Conquerors club for where he is today. “My family is very supportive and at Fruta Conquerors I’ve been playing since I was 6 and I believe they have one of the best junior programs in the country.”
While he awaits his departure to Potugal,Jeremy is training twice a day and hitting the gym in order to be in top shape. He has his eyes set on succeeding at the tryout but is also prepared for any eventually.
“Whether or not I make it I’ll have learned new things and given knowledge for the betterment of myself and team. But I definitely want to make it because it will create opportunities for other young Guyanese who could look up and say if Jeremy Garrett did it, I definitely can,” he quipped.
He travels this week with enormous pressure on his shoulders, but with an entire football community praying for his success, coupled with his faith in God and obvious skill and love for the game, Garrett can seize the opportunity of his young life.