The Caribbean’s most prominent football administrator, Austin `Jack’ Warner, and the most successful midfielder to ever emerge from this region, John Barnes, arrived in Guyana on Friday evening for the launch of the Digicel Kick Start football clinics here in Guyana to an 18-ball salute.
Digicel, the Caribbean’s premier football sponsor, has embarked on a multimillion dollar venture aimed at developing youth football in the region.
Warner, a vice-president of the International Football Federation (FIFA) lauded Digicel for their role.
Barnes, a Jamaican native and legendary premier league player, expressed much enthusiasm towards working with the youth.
Barnes and Warner were greeted by an 18-ball salute from some of Guyana’s top youth players. Barnes later commented that he was surprised and honoured by the welcome that the young players bid him at the airport and showed his gratitude by interacting with the players.
“I was surprised by the welcome that I was given last night from a young football team from Guyana but I was a little bit disturbed knowing that at 11.30pm they should have been in bed,” he jokingly added.
He also mentioned that he was looking forward to working with the young, vibrant players that the country had to offer and said he hoped that one or more of the six players to be selected may come from Guyana.
Barnes left Jamaica at age thirteen and ventured to England where he eventually gained attention of Watford FC when he was only seventeen.
During an exciting career which lasted for close to two decades, Barnes knocked with some of the UK’s best clubs including Liverpool AFC, Newcastle United FC, and Charlton Athletic then managed briefly for Glasgow Celtic.
Barnes will be working with the national Under-20 side tomorrow and Tuesday while on Wednesday, he will have a chance to witness them in competition against Fruta Conquerors, who won the texting competition to earn an opportunity to compete against the national side and have a brief training session with Barnes.
