Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 11, 2008 Sports
Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz has disclosed that his last game as Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation was the ‘Golden Jaguars’ clash against Trinidad and Tobago in the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the Marvin Lee Stadium on Sunday evening which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Shabazz who has been on loan from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) through the efforts of their Technical Advisor Austin Jack Warner, said after the game that it is time for him to pass the baton to head coach of the ‘Golden Jaguars’ Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover.
Shabazz, a dedicated and hard worker who never hesitated to roll up his sleeves and get down to work even outside his responsibilities declared that, “I’ve done what I think I could have done for Guyana football, I have enjoyed my work there for the last three years and I’ve enjoyed the people.”
While he has ended his formal relationship with the GFF, Shabazz who is also referred to as ‘Captain’ said he is open to helping Guyana in any way he can. “Any advise and in any way I could, I will continue to make myself available to help.”
He took over the reigns as Technical leader and made a strong and positive impact on the players which was filtered down to the performance of the team resulting in Guyana’s highest ever placing in the FIFA Rankings.
Shabazz was also instrumental in organising contracts for a number of local players in the T&T Pro League, exposure which was responsible for Guyana’s rise not only in the FIFA Rankings but in the Caribbean Region.
The ‘Golden Jaguars’ was unfortunately knocked out of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships due to a multiplicity of reasons but in the last championship (2006/07), they were the team to beat.
Guyana went on a phenomenal run winning all six of their group matches in the first and second rounds, the only country to achieve such a feat in the DCC.
Shabazz, a humble and approachable individual reflected that the high point of his tenure with the GFF was being able to receive a bye to the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying campaign which was based on the performances of the team in the DCC.
“I would like to see Guyana build from here and for the fans to continue to support the team and for the GFF to think about a programme rather than just tournaments.
They have to look at a programme now, there are two years before any other major tournament and now is the time for rebuilding not just with players but generally.”
He pointed out that there must be a healing of the wounds that exist in football among the people and a way must be found to work with the differences that so many people have with each other.
The low point of his tenure according to Shabazz, was failing to get past Suriname in the World Cup qualifiers.
“I think that was the worst moment in my football life, I felt that Guyana needed it so badly and I really felt hurt that I did all that I could have done and still was not able to get past them.”
Shabazz, while calling for the stakeholders in the football fraternity to work together noted that blame should not be cast on Colin Klass, President of the GFF but that ways and means should be sought to make sports in Guyana even better.
Government he reminded, has a role to play, the fans the Associations, the players and coaches and there must be a meeting of the minds. “We must stop taking positions and look at what is our interest.
When we look at what our interest’s are, if it is the advancement of Guyana and its football then we would not just hold hard and fast positions we would look for ways to compromise and to find solutions.”
Commenting on the performance of the Golden Jaguars against the Soca Warriors, he complimented the players for lifting their game and matching Trinidad and Tobago in every department of the game. He was looking for the win but was happy with the draw.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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