Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 13, 2015 Sports
“Energized and Ready to Go!” This is how National Coach Jamaal Shabazz describes his mood on his return to Guyana after a two week break in Trinidad. Undaunted by the fact that Guyana does not have a major tournament until next year, given this country’s failure to advance in the World Cup, Shabazz is still upbeat.
“In six months we got the national team back up to a level where we can compete. Not advancing in the qualifiers will never be allowed to kill our spirits. “We cannot be faint hearted nor weak, this is a time to show faith, conviction and strength,” he explained.
“But we must show patience and resilience and God would help us bring the people together and grow the Guyana football.”
A keen follower of Caribbean politics, Shabazz says Guyana’s football can learn a lot from the ascension into office by the APNU/AFC alliance.
“Normally sport especially football teaches politicians to come together. But now the football fraternity in Guyana is so divided we can learn from what we saw with the formation of the new Government of Guyana. In the last elections both parties lost but saw the potential of their power as a united effort and after 4 years they now reaping the benefits of uniting for a common good.” Pointing to the GFF upcoming elections Shabazz said, “This family called Guyana football is divided because two much I- Men want to dictate instead of stakeholders coming together in a forum to decide on a collective pathway. Chairman Mao is no more and so to the politics of a Supreme Leader is dead.”
“The stakeholders must have a voice because the people must have a say in how their affairs are run,” he added.
“Football is a team sport based on unity and organization. Anyone who wants to lead football but desire to create chaos and disunity cannot be on a football agenda.”
Asked to comment on the dismissal of the three managers from the senior and Under-23 teams, Shabazz stated: “This matter will be resolved no need for people to take sides and further fragment the football. They are my colleagues and how we treat with this situation that is so close to my heart will be a test on whether we want to walk the unity or just talk the unity.”
With regard to the National team programme, Shabazz is to have a meeting this week with the Technical Director and the GFF General Secretary.
“Our aim is to get the local based players back into training as soon as possible but we have to meet with those in authority first. But our enthusiasm and passion are alive and we have a strong will to resolve those staff issues,” insisted Shabazz.
Ending on a philosophical note Shabazz said, “You know Allah says if the journey was short and the victory was in sight they all would follow you. But the journey is long and it weighs heavy. I encourage the Guyanese people home and abroad not to become weak. This is a time we must show strength and continue the rebuilding process.”
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 20, 2024
– Elton Dharry and Dexter Marques to headline tonight’s card Kaieteur Sports – The Everest Cricket Club pavilion crackled with tension yesterday as the Guyana Boxing Board hosted its...Kaieteur News – Once a habit has been drilled into you, it returns almost automatically when you return to the setting... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]