Guyana’s Junior Jaguars U16 football team will swing into action today when they take on home team Bosnia and Herzegovina today.
According a release from Concacaf and the European Football Union the tour is expected to accelerate the team’s development.
“We are delighted to support the development of the Guyana Football Federation’s U16 national team,” said UEFA Head of International Relations Eva Pasquier.
It will be Guyana’s first appearance at a UEFA-sanctioned tournament in Europe, and the tour was made possible by UEFA Assist and Concacaf.
“The opportunity to play in a European tournament, learn from and exchange with UEFA national associations, and experience new cultures will undoubtedly help these young stars to develop both on and off the pitch. And this is exactly what UEFA Assist is all about,” added Pasquier.
The regional governing body Concacaf also expressed its support of the tour.
“Concacaf wishes to express its full support on this initiative and wishes the team all the best,” said Howard McIntosh, Head of One Concacaf and Carib-bean Special Projects.
“This approach is consistent with the philosophy expressed by Concacaf President Victor Montagliani in putting football first,” McIntosh said.
“We hope that the boys have a safe and successful trip and take full advantage of every opportunity that they have to represent Guyana and Concacaf in this tournament,” he added.
The 20-player strong Junior Jaguars squad, led by head coach Vurlon Mills, will also play Lithuania on Thursday and Montenegro on Sunday.
“The unprecedented invitation to play in the four-team friendly tournament is the direct result of the GFF’s focus on building meaningful relationships with UEFA and its other international football partners as it strengthens the image and standing of Guyana in the football world,” stated a release from the GFF.
According to the GFF, it has worked together with EUFA on a `return to play’ planning during the COVID-19 pandemic and UEFA also funded two minibuses to reduce the cost of participation for players in GFF development programmes and competitions.
With the backing of Concacaf, UEFA is also supporting the creation of Guyana’s first professional football league.
“The GFF administration, led by Wayne Forde, has proven time and time again that it will take on numerous football challenges, and it’s good to see this remarkable opportunity coming to fruition,” the release stated.
As part of their ambassadorial role in representing Guyana on their European trip, the U16 players will share Guyana tourism and investment brochures with other tournament participants and officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Guyana Tourism Authority has also contributed financial support to the squad.
