Giftland Officemax became the first corporate entity this year to throw its support behind the Guyana National football team after signing a $4.25 million-dollar contract with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as the team prepares for the third round of the CONCACAF 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador from June 8 – October 16.
At the GFF head office yesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company Eon Ramdeo along with his Marketing Manager, Campton Bobb met with GFF President Franklin Wilson (AG) and General Secretary Noel Adonis to ink the deal.
Wilson, in his opening remarks, extended the federation’s gratitude to the company as the first sponsor to come onboard and sign an agreement with the GFF directly related the Golden Jaguars qualification for the 2014 World Cup.
“We made numerous calls prior to now to corporate Guyana to support us and we have received favourable responses during the second round qualifying competition but we are moreso happy to have Giftland Officemax partnering with us for the third round with not just a verbal commitment but commitment in writing,” said Wilson.
He then thanked Guyanese entrepreneur Faizal Khan, who was recently named Director of Marketing for the GFF, for securing the partnership with Giftland.
During the Marketing Manager’s brief remarks, he stated that the company did not take a long time to decide to come onboard adding that they saw it as a great honour and a very awesome opportunity for Giftland Officemax to be a part of the Golden Jaguars’ quest for World Cup Qualification.
Wilson informed that Giftland Officemax will also benefit from the partnership since they will be one of the main outlets that will have Golden Jaguars replicas on sale.
A special account at Republic Bank was opened for the Golden Jaguars with account number 6515860.
Wilson said “accountability is a major thing for us because we want our sponsors to know that their support via financial donations will go towards the progression of not just the Golden Jaguars in their mission but local football in general.”
A budget of G$183 million, an equivalent of approximately US$880,000 has been prepared for the Golden Jagaurs’ participation in round three of the qualifiers.
This also includes friendly meeting of formidable opponents such as Grenada, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and even Guatemala with which negotiations are being made.
According to Wilson, these friendly matches will give the team the much needed exposure and preparation needed for them to be successful on the international stage.
Wilson also put speculation to rest over the future of Coach Jamaal Shabbaz by stating that he will remain with the national coach.
“During the recent FIFA President meeting in Zurich, Switzerland I met with the TTFF president and he articulated that they have no problem with Shabbazz staying as coach and all we have to do given that he is contracted to them is write a simple letter requesting his services when we need him,” said Wilson.
