-Dr Frank Anthony
Yesterday was a red-letter day in Guyana’s rich sporting history.
It was the day when 69 year-old Edson Arantes de Nascimento, known to the world as `King Pele,’ touched down at the Dr. Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri.
Pele arrived at around 14:50 hours to fittingly, a red carpet welcome from the Government of Guyana.
The football icon was doused with live steel pan music after he disembarked the private Lear jet which brought him from neighbouring Brazil.
He was met by government officials including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, officials of the Brazilian Embassy here including Ambassador Luis Gilberto Seixas de Andrade and the duo responsible for his visit Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey “Shanghai” Major.
Scores of immigration officers, airport security officers and even baggage handlers, found their way onto the tarmac to take photographs and catch a glimpse of the man universally acclaimed as the greatest footballer in the world, just before he was escorted to the VIP Lounge.
He was met by members of the local media and expressed to them, his expectations of his two-day visit.
“I think this is one of the most important receiving that I have ever had in my life,” the Brazilian said in his strange idiom.
Pele’s magnificent accomplishment as a player saw him being named Sportsman of the Century.
Pele’s impact on football clubs all over the world and in Guyana saw the emergence of Pele Football and Santos Football Clubs on the local scene.
The two clubs in the 1980s were head and shoulders above the other teams in the country and a strong rivalry blossomed.
The `King’ said yesterday that the Santos and Pele clash tonight in the second game of the double header at the Guyana National Stadium, was one of the things that prompted him to come to Guyana.
Pele are the defending Kashif and Shanghai champions and King Pele said tonight’s encounter was an auspicious moment for football in Guyana.
“This is I think for the football, for us who love the football, I think this is a big, big accomplishment the reason is that because they have the club in my name here and the team who I love Santos from Brazil. Everybody knows Santos was, with Real Madrid some years ago, the best team in the world when I was part of this team. I think today it has brought the people together, I think that is the reason I’m here and I thank God for making me come here today,” he said.
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass, who was part of the welcome delegation, said he believes that Pele’s visit was the climax of the football fraternity in Guyana.
“What you have done also has brought together everything and everyone in Guyana. We have politicians and the businesses and we trust this togetherness that you have created will bring about a new leaf in life and our relationship will span and grow from strength to strength,” Klass said.
Upon departing the airport for the city, `King Pele’ was greeted by scores of persons including several young excited football players who lined the exit of the VIP area.
He was mobbed for a few seconds by many who wanted to mark this lucky occasion with an autograph or, at least, a shake of hands.
“This is the day that all of us have been waiting for, planning for and working for over the past several weeks. This is the day, ladies and gentlemen that we in the Kashif and Shanghai Organization have been working for over several years. This is the day that Guyana’s football fraternity has been hoping for over perhaps an even longer period,” said Muhammad at Cara Lodge where a lunch was hosted by the Brazilian Embassy for Pele.
And, according to Dr. Anthony, “his exploits on the football field, his excellent dribbling, his precision passing, his creative shots, and his heading ability have made him a living legend in the world. So profound has been his influence that every young player hoped and aspired to play like `King Pele.’
On a personal note the minister said: “Sir, Guyanese from all walks of life admire you; we regard you as the greatest football player in the World.
“We hope that your presence at the 20th Kashif and Shanghai Tournament will help to inspire thousands of young players to greatness.
“We know that you are a National Treasure to Brazil; we can assure you that we agree, but we believe that you are a treasure to the World.”
Ambassador de Andrade said he saw Pele’s visit to Guyana to declare open the annual Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament, as a historical event and an auspicious occasion for an important cultural exchange to take place, which only sport can provide and to enhance bilateral relations for mutual knowledge and better understanding.
“On the eve of a new World Cup in South Africa, Pele’s visit may well challenge Guyana to get prepared to be present as contenders at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. We would very much welcome that.”
At City Hall Pele met with Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green and was given the keys to the city.
Hundreds crammed the yard of Town Hall and those that couldn’t fit in, climbed on nearby buildings just to see Pele in the flesh.
After he was given the keys to the city, he showed off his artistic side by drawing a picture of a football goal with the ball inside and placed his John Hancock above in the book.
Born to Dondinho and Celeste Nascimento in 1940,
Pele’s first nickname was Dico but he was named Pele by his friends which in Portuguese or in any other dialect means ‘nothing’.
History will prove that nickname to be incorrect for Pele went on to become something- the greatest footballer who ever played the game.
He was capped 92 times, scored 97 goals and was idolized, almost immortalized for helping Brazil win three (1958, 1962 and 1970) of their five World Cup titles; 1994 and 2002 were their other triumphs.
