Emerging national center-half Raphael Edwards says it is important for local footballers to feature in the national setup as it will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of homebred talent.
He also declared his intention of featuring integrally for the Golden Jaguars during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday.
According to Edwards, 24, the emergence of locally honed talents on the national team, illustrates the presence of quality and talent that exists in Guyana and serves to inspire the future generation.
“It is very important because it shows that we have the quality and that all we need is the right exposure and coaching,” he said.
“Being a local in the national team does inspire younger players because I was once inspired and because we know that we can be like this person as I was once that youngster. It is also good for the image of the sport,” he added.
Edwards, though, did not ignore the usefulness of the foreign players.
“The foreigners play an integral part and bring a lot to the table because they play in a higher league and level. It’s good for them to be around the younger players as certain things can rub off from them on you.”
The towering center-half featured four times on the substitute’s bench during the Golden Jaguars CONCACAF Nations League campaign. While he is yet to earn a senior cap for the programme, Edwards is focused on achieving his objective, which is to be an integral part of the setup.
“100 percent. I am working towards that. That is my aim and that is the whole idea which is to be an integral part of the Golden Jaguars setup. I am putting in the work and doing what the coach wants and to be always ready when called upon so that coaches can have the confidence in you. In the next three to four years I see myself being one of the main center-backs in the country with hard work and dedication and being around the right people and coaches.”
Asked how big of a setback is the current situation to the national programme, Edwards said, “I see this as a big setback because if it affects the bigger nations that are more enhanced. It has to have an effect on Guyana who now is in the rebuilding stage. The senior programme was getting some momentum, everyone was now getting used to how the coach wants to play and then this pandemic just came and hit everyone hard and stopped everything.”
According to Edwards, while the ongoing situation has affected his training regimen, he continues to exercise in an attempt to remain in shape for when the situation eventually subsides.
“For sure it’s put a halt to everything because to me I was at one level and it’s like I am starting back from zero. This is the reason I am putting in the work and effort. Every afternoon I run and do pushups as well as abdominals. I am doing this for personal good to keep in shape and for when everything starts back, I don’t want to be at the zero level.”
