By Indrawattie Natram

FROM the tender age of seven, Aliea Moses who hails from Queenstown Village in Region Two developed a love for the game of football, but little she did not know that she would one day represent Guyana at an international game. Moses, who is a student of the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School, vividly recalls sneaking out of her house to the Queenstown ballfield to play football with the boys in her village. She said that although her actions were very much against her parents’ wishes, she did not give up her dreams of wanting to master her skills in the game.

Moses recently represented Guyana where she competed as a defender at the CONCACAF U 15 girls’ Championship at the IMG Academy, Florida. She described the experience gained from the game as truly “memorable”.

“It was a dream come true for me, having been able to make the squad for the Guyana football team… when I heard I was selected I knew that I would have made my country proud,” the young athlete said.

Moses along with her other squad members left Guyana on August 5 and returned August 12. She said the first match Guyana played was against St Lucia, followed by the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. Although Guyana did not score in the finals of the games, the experience and memories she earned would be remembered throughout her lifetime.
The Guyana team for the championship included goalkeeper- Lusdesha Reynolds; defenders – Hasha Holder, Anastacia Salvador and Alleia Alleyne; Midfielders -Samara Rodrigues, Amanda Mc Kenzie and Forwards – Jalade Trim, Kersti Thomas and Shamya Daniels.

Moses started training for football when she was just 10 years old. She said that earlier in 2018 she heard about the tournament and spoke with her coach about her involvement. She added that she then started to practise at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), then at the Leonora Track Field. Leading up to the selection, a camp was held at Leonora Fire Station where only those that were competent were selected.

The teenager said that she felt lucky when she heard she was selected and thanked her

coaches. She also thanked her family and relatives who supported her throughout the tournament.

“This was indeed a [once in a] lifetime opportunity for me. When I arrived in Florida the scenery was so beautiful. I never imagined that my love for football could have landed me in such a beautiful place,” Moses said.

During the games, Moses tried her best and supported the Guyana team. She said she also made many friends during her journey. This young athlete said that she will continue to pursue the game and hope she can represent Guyana again internationally.