No Brazilian coach to be recruited – GFF boss
Guyana Chronicle
January 29, 2007
NO Brazilian coach will be recruited by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz will continue as Technical Director, following Guyana’s good showing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup from which several players will go on to higher football.
The GFF hosted a press conference at its Section K Campbellville secretariat to report on the senior national team’s campaign in the just concluded regional championships.
Responding to a direct question about a possible Brazilian coach, GFF president Colin Klass said Shabazz started working here voluntarily having seen the potential in the players and continued to the Digicel Caribbean Cup on agreement with CONCACAF president Austin ‘Jack’ Warner.
“We have agreed to continue to work together. The details I think are personal, but he could reveal it if he wants to.”
He said so far it was a good partnership and union, with which the GFF was prepared to work with.
Klass said that all Guyana was disappointed that the team did not go to the next level, but the performance signalled a good start for 2007.
“Our team has made us proud. This is only the beginning for the Guyana pursuit.”
Asked about the possibility of Guyana still going to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the event of Cuba being unavailable, Klass said the GFF did not receive any official word.
“But once we get the word, we will be ready.”
However, he said the GFF was trying to get matches against some of the teams that have qualified and identified El Salvador and Canada.
“We will continue to develop every aspect of our game.”
He said matches against teams from Central and South America and possibly North America were on the drawing boards from as early as next month for more exposure for the players, even at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-23 levels.
“But unless there is a financial boost, some of these plans will fall.”
He called on corporate Guyana to support the game, highlighting voluntary support given by Trinidadians during the championship, including that of a doctor.
Some $20 million was budgeted for “reasonable” preparation of the team, but Klass could not say exactly how much was actually used because the figures were now being compiled from “borrowing and begging”.
“I say reasonable preparation because a trip to Brazil was cancelled because of funds.”
Klass, also, called for a sport policy which would make it compulsory for employers to release employees called for national duties, having faced difficulties in getting some top players and referees.
“It needs to go to the level of policy like the other Caribbean countries. Some of the best players sometimes are not included in national teams. There must be a policy.”