By Tamica Garnett
Two groups, Temptation Promotions and GT Promotions, are set to make football history by staging the first ever football match between a Guyana Football Federation (GFF) sanctioned ‘Guyana All Star XI’ and the second oldest football team in the world, the Cray Wonderers.
The match is billed to take place on August 8 in London, England.
This was disclosed yesterday by head of Temptation Promotions, Faizal Khan at a press conference held at the GFF Headquarters, Section K Campbellvile.
The match will be held at the Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, London SE22 BD and the football action will kick- off from 3pm, Khan told the media yesterday.
The team will comprise Guyanese players coming out of Guyana, England, Trinidad and the United States of America.
Khan said he was looking to cultivate the best possible team of players.
He explained that visas concerns made it not feasible for an entire Guyana-based team to travel.
As such, a team of “new breed” players will represent Guyana at this event.
“Coming directly out of Guyana will be Clive Andries, Eon Alleyne, Glenorvan Edmonds, Mustapha Haqq, and Ronson Williams,” Khan said.
They will be supported by players from the United States of America such as Gregory Richardson, Konata Manning, JP Rodrigues, Chris Nurse and Brian Baker, while Shawn `Bubbly’ Beveney, and Walter Moore will be coming out of Trinidad.
The remaining eight players will be from England and are Scott Nurse, Fabeon Brown, Kabir Khan, Ricky Shakes, Alani Mounter, Jake Newton, Chris Bourne, and Jason Lloyd, son of former West Indies cricket captain, Clive Lloyd.
Wilson, who represented the GFF, said that the event was going to a “good spring board” for the players to go out and experience international competition, adding that as this was only the beginning of such things to come.
Wilson said that the team was not going to England just for a trip, but was going to gain experience and to do their best and to win
“They are not just going to see this as a trip, they are going there to do their best and to win,” Wilson stated. He opined that the venture would benefit not only the players but other areas as well.
“We are hoping that we can benefit other areas as well. We are looking to go beyond just football, apart from our football players getting experience, this is a chance for the coaches to learn from the coaches over there,” Wilson stated.
Khan disclosed that the event will also be graced by the presence of a number of professional scouts, who will be looking to discover the vast potential talent of the Guyanese players.
He said he was confident that the local players will catch the eyes of the scouts.
To add the Guyanese flavor, Khan declared that the event will incorporate a family fun-day approach and will feature Guyanese dishes
Guyanese are encouraged to turn out in droves and to encourage their fellow Guyanese to proudly support their fellow Guyanese at this event.
The event has the blessings of the GFF and the International Football Federation (FIFA).
