With the backing of the government and other stakeholders, Guyana’s football could one day be a permanent fixture on the world stage.
So said former Trinidad and Tobago Captain and now FIFA Ambassador, Dwight Yorke during last night’s FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour ceremony at Thirst Park.
Yorke, who also played for Aston Villa and Manchester United, stated that the trophy “being here is a historic moment for Guyana’s football.”
Yorke said that the trophy passing through Guyana…”will encourage the youths of this generation to continue to pursue their dreams since I am living proof to people that if I can make it so can you.
“This goes to show where Guyana’s football is. I believe that football has a special place in Guyana and the progress you have shown with the right foundation in places with the trophy being here and with the encouragement of the government on day Guyana will be on the world stage.”
President, Donald Ramotar in his address, thanked FIFA’s delegation as well as Coco Cola for allowing the coveted trophy to pass through Guyana.
Ramotar also pledged the government’s support for the discipline and mentioned that one day the Golden Jaguars could be the team lifting the trophy.
Yorke also present a special gift to the president.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be held by past FIFA World Cup winners and Heads of States and since the Golden Jaguars are not making it to Brazil in 2014, Head of State, Donald Ramotar lifted the trophy on behalf of the people of Guyana.
As our country’s eighth president, Ramotar became the first head of state of Guyana to hold the trophy.
Brief remarks were also made by Hector Mantellini, Coca Cola global executive, Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited Mr. Clifford Reis and Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Gilberto Seixes de Andrade.
The first time the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy made an unprecedented tour was in 2006 and then again in 2010. This is the third time that the world’s most coveted symbol of football is on tour around the world. For the 2014 world cup in Brazil the trophy has embarked on an extensive 267-day (9 months) journey covering 89 countries including 59 for the first time including Guyana.
The original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, weighs 6.175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite while its underside is engraved with the year and name of each FIFA World Cup™ winner since 1974.
Eight nations have lifted the coveted prize. Brazil five times, Italy four times, Germany three times, Argentina twice and Uruguay two times including the inaugural tournament in 1930 at home and in 1950 in Brazil, France and defending Champions Spain have won the title once. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour 2014 by Coca-Cola will continue today when the delegation and the prize board the official Carrier the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour Jet for Trinidad and Tobago.
