Guyana’s senior football team the Golden Jaguars will not be participating next month on the date identified by FIFA, the world governing body for football, for international Friendly matches.
So said acting president of the Guyana Football Football Federation (GFF) Franklin Wilson.
FIFA has identified February 6 as the date for the staging of friendly international matches but Wilson in an interview with Stabroek Sport, said he did not envision the national team competing on the aforementioned date because of financial difficulties.
“No definitive or concrete decision has been made pertaining to the upcoming FIFA international date on the 6th February. We are presently in the red financially so to speak and would like to rectify this situation before we decide to host international games again. Cognizant of the current pecuniary position, I do not believe we will be utilizing the upcoming international playing date due to the aforesaid constraints,” said Wilson.
As a result the Golden Jaguars ranking will remain the same.
Wilson was also asked about the senior national setup and whether anyone has been identified locally to fill the vacancy left by Jamaal Shabazz’s exit and said that the federation was currently looking at the local scene to ascertain which coaches could be suitable to fill that position.
“Currently we are engaging and looking at the local setup trying to figure out which coaches could be applicable to fill that void. The coaching association will be resuscitated shortly as this would facilitate matters of this nature while the various associations will be written to for their suggestions and possible nominations of suitably qualified individuals to fill the role,” he said.
Shabazz’s assistant Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover is favoured to land the post but other coaches the GFF could consider are Denzil `Hunky Brains’ Thompson of the Guyana Defence Force, Gordon `Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite of Northern Rangers, Brian Wilson of Milerock, Sampson Gilbert of Fruta Conquerors and Western Tigers’ Calvin Alleyne.
Wilson also spoke of the recent GFA AGM and election of officer bearers.
“During my tenure at the helm of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), that was one of the best days without the fear of incongruity. It was an historic event and what had occurred will hopefully set the tone of what transpires within the other administrations. Collectively we have seen what can be accomplished and in the spirit of good faith and goodwill, I envisage that prosperity will preside over the football landscape.
Individuals will come and go but the game will always be here as the sport is bigger than any singular personality. There will be bumps and challenges along the way but the ultimate aim should always be the development and furtherance in entirety of the game both on and off the field of play. While the opinions of the collective matters and the right of the majority must be respected, we must continue to work in the best interest of the sport and its development as the game should always be the winner,” Wilson said.
