Shabbaz appeals for help for Golden Jaguars

`We are not living a champagne life’

By Calvin Roberts

Technical Director of the Guyana national football team now preparing for its first World Cup qualifying match against Suriname, Trinidadian Jamaal Shabbaz, yesterday appealed to corporate Guyana for financial assistance to aid the team’s preparation.

“The sport of football cannot work without sponsorship. Football (playing) costs a lot of money and preparation for World Cup matches has a huge cost attached to it,” said Shabbaz via a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Golden Jaguars, who are presently in the twin-island republic, are undergoing final preparations for their first 2010 World Cup qualifying match against neighbours Suriname next Sunday in Suriname,  have been hit by a lack of funds.

“Right now the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is under some serious financial constraints which have impacted on us over here.