… GFF president optimistic

By Ras Wadada

WITH about nine months before Guyana’s Golden Jaguars continue their quest for a 2nd consecutive qualification to the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament set for mid-July to August 1 next year, it is the view of the chief for football in the country that the `courage and grit’ displayed by the team in reaching this far will be pivotal in getting past the first hurdle against Guatemala.

In Monday night’s live draw from Miami and watched by millions, Jaguars were pitted against the Central Americans. Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport immediately after the announcement, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde expressed optimism despite the challenges the team have endured on their way to reaching the Preliminary 2-game knock-out competition.

“The Guyana Golden Jaguars have had to claw their through many challenges on and off the field over the years and coming up against Guatemala in the preliminary round is not by any means an insurmountable challenge. We have to respect the quality this team will present on the day, but I would say whatever we lack in quality, we will surely make up with courage and grit.”

Forde also added, while miscalculating the time frame ahead that ”our boys were unlikely to be in this position given the poor start to their Nations League campaign, but they all dug very deep and redeemed themselves, which is a true reflection of the character of this team and their leadership under coach Maximo.

“It will require extraordinary undertaking to be ready for Guatemala in eleven months and I am confident that this entire nation will answer the call. It will be difficult, but not impossible”.

The current governance of the `Beautiful Game’ here in Guyana, has been publicly chastised with regard to National teams’ preparation and selection over the years and always the main defence has been the lack of funds.

When quizzed on how important is it to engage the team in regular international matches as part of the preparations, Forde hinted vaguely on plans as well as the challenge of finance.

“A lot of planning has taken place during the down time. We have Gold Cup experience on our side and among the preparation priorities now will be the identification of teams with similar playing styles to Guatemala for friendly fixtures. Money is always a challenge for developing football nations, but we are not daunted by this,” Forde noted.

When asked to elaborate on what he meant by a lot of planning and whether it addressed how to overcome the challenge in securing the necessary funding, he referred to what has transpired so far and the importance of Government’s input in assuring that plans are on course.

“We have already appointed a Marketing Committee that has been active with stakeholders. In addition, we are in deep discussions with International Sports Marketing Companies regarding commercial opportunities.

We were given significant help from the previous Government in 2019 and have every reason to expect similar assistance from the current Government of Guyana. I think we will have the resources to prepare well,” the GFF boss said

Forde, however, remained tight-lipped when asked to disclose who make up the Marketing Committee and who will be heading it. He just said, “Three committees will be officially announced in a few days (Marketing, Scholarships and Beach Soccer). I cannot share now’.

Chronicle Sport also shared with the GFF president that Guatemala will be playing 8-time Gold Cup champions Mexico tonight and against Nicaragua next Tuesday in friendly internationals.  When asked if it was possible for the National Communication Network (NCN) to show the games, he indicated that he will have the Committee’s team explore with NCN, while assuring `it is doable’.

On the question of the selection of a training squad and how soon it will be selected, the football boss stated that his executive is currently working, with international help, on a document for the National training so as to present it to the Government for approval and that `it should not exceed three weeks to be completed.

A win for Golden Jaguars versus Guatemala in their first game of the preliminary KO competition will put them against the winners off The Bahamas-Guadeloupe match-up with the winners advancing to join Costa Rica, Jamaica and Suriname in Group `C’ of the finals set to climax on August 1 of next year.