While conceding that Golden Jaguars head-coach Jamaal Shabazz’s passport is currently with the US Embassy pending possible approval for his travel visa, GFF President Wayne Forde posited that while he was aware of his inability to travel prior to employment, he is optimistic of a positive outcome.
This was stated during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday. According to Forde, “A visa application is a transaction between the applicant and the member state that they are making the application to and sum of the details regarding the challenge with that is left in a confidential space between the applicant and the member state. In this case, coach Shabazz is applying for his United States visa which he is not in possession of. The GFF, CONCACAF, and the Government of Guyana has provided all the support we can offer coach Shabazz in the process. We remain encouraged and optimistic of a positive outcome.” He further said, “It’s important that coach Shabazz is able to manage the Golden Jaguars however in the event that is not possible we have already put in place contingencies and while this isn’t the ideal situation, this is not something that comes as a surprise to the GFF Council. We were aware of the coach’s US visa status at the point of his employment.” Following a two year imprisonment for his participation in the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt, Shabazz is unable to travel to several countries inclusive of the United States. After that incident, Shabazz has coached four Caribbean national team programmes. They are the St. Lucia Men’s team, the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s unit, the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s side, and the Golden Jaguars. The Trinidad and Tobago native is yet to return to the United States though in 2008 he transited through the country on his way to Mexico with the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s national team.
Asked why wasn’t coach Shabazz’s inability to travel to the USA made public before the team’s departure for Jamaica, he said, “We didn’t start this process yesterday, it started well in advance and we always knew that the games would be in North America. It has been a long and tedious process but we remain optimistic of a positive outcome.”
Pressed why wasn’t Shabazz’s inability to travel to the USA considered the principal reason for his non-employment, Forde said, “The GFF was fully aware of his status at the point of employment but what he brings to the programme, the visa challenge is just one element that we felt at the time of his employment could be resolved and the efforts being made by CONCACAF, GFF and the Government of Guyana, we remain optimistic of a positive outcome. At no point in time was there any doubt that there wouldn’t be a positive outcome.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars will face-off with Martinique in a practice match tomorrow from 19:00hrs as part of their preparation for the impending CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims.
Guyana is slated to face Grenada on Saturday, June 17th at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If successful, they will play the winner of the Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago fixture for a place in the Gold Cup. Twenty-three players will form the final squad for the Gold Cup Prelims.
The Golden Jaguars qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims following a runner-up finish in group C of League B in the 2022/20223 edition of the Nations League. All Gold Cup preliminary matches are being held at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami.
Guyana’s Gold Cup Preliminary Roster, which is currently being coached by assistant Wayne Dover, comprises Marcus Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Emery Welshman, Terrence Vancooten, Anthony Smith, Marcus Simmons, Pernel Schultz, Quillan Roberts, Terrence Ondaan, Sese Norville, Colin Nelson, Joshua Naraine, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Deon Moore, Tre Medford, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Leo Lovell, Connor Kurran-Browne, Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, Akini James, Sheldon Holder, Callum Harriott, Reis Greenidge, Jonathan Grant, Liam Gordon, Akel Clarke, Jeremy Garrett, Stephon Duke-McKenna, Elliot Bonds, Samuel Cox, Kadel Daniels, Neil Danns, and Trayon Bobb.
