Negotiations are underway between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its counterparts in Trinidad to have Technical Director of the national football team, Trinidadian Jamal Shabazz’s contract renewed.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport by telephone from Trinidad yesterday, GFF president Colin Klass informed that he is having negotiations with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) to have that body continue to pay Shabazz’s salary while he continues to serve as the technical director for the GFF.
Klass said the GFF will host a press conference tomorrow and the local media will be brought up-to-date on the issue of Shabazz’s contract. “I am not in a position now to state if the contract will be renewed or not, because I’m having discussions with them (TTFF) and by Thursday we will know,” Klass stated.
The GFF head explained that during the time that Shabazz was working with the national team, he was on loan from the TTFF, so he is currently negotiating with the Trinidadians to have the same arrangement for another period of time. “While he (Shabazz) was with us, he was on loan, so I’m trying to have them continue to pay him or pay part,” Klass mentioned, adding “as you get bigger, people want you to go on your own.”
When contacted for a comment, Shabazz said he is not in a position to say anything about the renewal of his contract and Stabroek Sport should make contact with the GFF.
He said, however, during the Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament, he and the GFF had a verbal agreement that he would serve as Technical Director until the Gold Cup, but unfortunately Guyana was knocked out in the quarter-final round, despite holding Cuba to a 0-0 draw.
Shabazz said he will arrive in Guyana sometime today to face the media tomorrow. “The media have done their part for the team, others didn’t do their part, so it’s only fair that I face the media and answer the many questions that I’m expecting from them.”
According to Shabazz, and this was confirmed by Klass, the GFF will be the recipient of a quantity of sports gear, compliments of Rossi Sports Wear. “This is the kind of thing I’m talking about, strangers are willing to help, while their own is not helping,” Shabazz lamented.
The Trinidadian also informed that Ross Advertising, the largest advertising firm in Trinidad which is owned by Ernie Ross, a Guyanese living in Trinidad, hosted the `Golden Jaguars’ to a luncheon last Friday “and Ernie (Ross) has pledged sponsorship for the Guyanese team.”
