Braithwaite wants longer training period for IGG footballers

A second trial match was played yesterday afternoon while the third will be played today.

“After that we are going to break down the squad to about 20 or 21,” said national coach Gordon `Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite.

He also revealed that three players from Waramadong and one from Linden were absent.

Braithwaite said the Waramadong players encountered transportation problems while the Linden player was participating in another competition in the mining town.

The first Inter-Guiana Games practice match in progress yesterday morning at the Carifesta Sports Complex ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Despite their absence, Braithwaite said he has all the available players needed to select the best possible squad to travel to French Guiana where the games will be held.

The players involved in the Trials, were selected based on their performances in the Digicel Schools tournament and the National Under – 20 championships.

The Inter-Guiana Games Organising Committee has changed the age limit from Under-19 to Under-18 and according to Braithwaite; the decision resulted in a number of talented players being left out of the squad. “The trials are just to see the progress of the players because most of them played for Guyana already, some of them played around Georgetown and Conquerors has a few,” he said.

Braithwaite said the challenge will be to ensure that team selected will have as much time to train together as a team.

He said last year the players did not have enough time together to train as a team, adding that the players were also affected by the officiating.

Braithwaite said there will be a one week break from practice sessions

To facilitate the school athletics season but will resume the follow week.