Rodrigues confirmed as new Technical Director

Jan 28, 2014 Sports

– calls for a more dynamic local programme

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias speaking during a press briefing which was held at the entity’s Head office on Dadanawa Street, Section ‘K’, Campbellville, confirmed the appointment of former Lady Jags Technical Director Mark Rodrigues as playing a similar role within the GFF.

New GFF Technical Director Mark Rodrigues

According to Matthias, he met Rodrigues at a CONCACAF-organised Sports Summit in the Cayman Islands late last year and it was there that the initial conversation was held on the subject of him being interested in the job and after further discussions the decision was made to confirm him to the job, a task that will be conducted gratis, except for getting him to Guyana and his upkeep during the period of his stay.
The GFF President added that he was very impressed with Rodrigues’ work with the Lady Jags, while his knowledge of the game and coaching was equally inspiring, prompting the decision in his favour.
Rodrigues, shortly after introducing himself reminded those present that he was here before and his presence is merely a return to the football atmosphere in Guyana after his first interaction in 2009 with the Lady Jags when the national programme for the ladies was launched.
He said it is indeed a pleasure to meet the technical staff and was eagerly looking forward to meeting the coaches as they seek to implement a robust national programme.
“It is time that we stop scrambling to put together a team (s) just a few years prior to the World Cup and other international competitions. We’ve got two good legacies to build from, the women’s outstanding performance in 2010 and the men’s World Cup exploits last year so we see right away that if we start from the bottom and build a solid base what the results could be,” Rodrigues stated.
Rodrigues urged that things will be organised in a manner that will make them stronger thereby ensuring a sustainable programme is developed going forward, but cautioned that while the aim is to get a more dynamic local programme, it is not the intention to scrap the search for overseas-based players with the potential to play at the highest level.
The new TD will be in charge of all the national teams and is expected to commence work shortly along with support from the local coaches and the Technical Committee.