Golden Jaguars U20 captain Nicholas McArthur has secured a three year soccer scholarship at Chicago State University following the involvement of the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA).
This is according to a release from the Guyana Football Federation.
McArthur during brief remarks at the GFF headquarters on Tuesday said, “I’m very happy. Thank you to Mr. Alex Bunbury and the federation for this stepping stone. I want to be a professional footballer. I want to play for PSG (Paris Saint-Germain). That is where my idol Kylian Mbappé plays – I want to be just like him.”
Chicago State University (CSU) competes in seven men’s and eight women’s sports in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I section.
The Plaisance-born former Canadian international and ABSAA founder, Bunbury, said, “This is a great moment for Guyana’s football. I saw an opportunity for this young man who I believe has all the credentials and talent to showcase his God-given ability representing Guyana.”
According to Bunbury, who plied his trade with Major League Soccer team Kansas City Wizards, West Ham in the English Premier League and top tier Portuguese side Maritimo, “This will give him an opportunity to be visible on a big stage and an opportunity to be an inspiration for other young people. This programme has been assisted by the GFF and we are planning to do more of this. We have more opportunities coming. We believe this is the start of something really special.”
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. praised ABSAA for its contribution in securing the scholarship.
“This is a great example of how the diaspora can impact Guyana. Keep pushing the envelope in wanting to give back and understanding that this is where you are from.”
He added, “There are a lot of young people who want to be able to find a pathway for their passion and they want to be able to see examples that can inspire them. There are a lot of people who you will be inspiring just by doing this, so understand that you bear an additional responsibility.”
GFF President Wayne Forde said, “Nicholas, you are going to be a trailblazer for many players after you.
“It is so important that you are a good ambassador and set the right example, so there is an added incentive for the coaching staff and management of the college to want to offer similar opportunities to the players that will come after you. Congratulations to Mr. Alex Bunbury for networking and doing everything he has done to make this happen,” Forde ended.
