New York (SMG) - Buoyed by the performances of its Golden Jaguars (Guyana’s senior national football team) in recent times, the Guyana Football Federation World Cup Committee (WCC) is leaving no stone unturned to fully prime Guyana’s quest to play in the 2010 World Cup.
In an interview with this newspaper last Wednesday, the Committee, led by US-based CEO Colin Baker, highlighted several initiatives the body is taking to up-the-ante on its awareness and support programs for the Golden Jaguars. In evidently gleeful tones, Baker firstly extended the group’s “profound best wishes and congratulations to the players and coaches for their extraordinary feats of late, especially against Caribbean powerhouse Cuba.” Last weekend, the Guyanese had the better of the CFU’s #1 team in two games in Linden and Georgetown, winning the dual duel with a victory and a draw – 2 goals to one and nil-all.
“One just has to remember that a year ago FIFA voted us the ‘best mover’ (most improved country) on its world rankings, and the current momentum underlines our focus to get to the big stage of world soccer (football),” Baker reminded. He added the WCC’s delight in seeing young star Andrew Murray in the ‘selected few’ earmarked for further exposure after the John Barnes-led Digicel clinics held across the region. “It is this good fortune that we as Guyanese need to embrace and support to get the golden arrowhead flying in South Africa in two years time.”
The initiatives, Baker said, are towards realizing the US$3M funding for the campaign. Reflecting on a story last Wednesday in another newspaper, the CEO noted that they (the WCC) had, only a few days ago discussed the gravity for that type of coverage to give the public a sense of what is taking place within the football fraternity. He said, “I applaud the story and look forward to seeing more like it which would paint a picture of where we are and are going.”
On its initiatives, the committee has advanced logistics for a raffle which will not only create additional funds, but also awareness. The raffle is expected to be drawn during a major platform the committee is staging for USA audience. Sponsorship Director, Sheridan David informed this newspaper of the preliminary discussions the committee has had to showcase a representative Golden Jaguars team in games in New York and Georgia over the Memorial Day weekend – May 23-26. “We are also looking at provisions for the players to be accorded guests of honor at special events, and pay courtesy calls on leaders in the Guyanese community here,” David offered.
In this regard, WCC member Victor Wright is at the deep end of developing a pool of affiliated coordinators across the USA and Canada to assist the committee. “We are appointing these persons in North America and abroad, so that wherever there is a concentration of Guyanese in the Diaspora we can tap the resources to have awareness and support,” he offered.
Recently, Marketing Director Garth Nelson struck deals with three New York-based entities for donations to the Golden Jaguars. Lindenguy.com, a web development company has entered a long-term pact to create and manage an exclusive website for the team – www.goldenjaguars.com. At the same time, Legendary Printing Ltd. of Queens had subsidized the production of 5000 brochures for the campaign. That was followed by a donation of 60 Golden Jaguars t-shirts by Mr. Copy King Inc. in Brooklyn. Nelson said the apparel will “primarily add uniformity to the team in casual and informal settings like whenever they are relaxing away from games and training.” He noted that the businesses have pledged continuing support of the campaign, and are advocating for others, especially Guyanese owned and managed, to get into the act.
Focusing on merchandizing, both Baker and Nelson indicated that arrangements will be concluded shortly to manufacture a variety of supplies. They range from Golden Jaguars replica clothing, bags and headwear to home, work and automobile decals, key rings, posters and much more. “These will be available in the US, Guyana, the Caribbean and elsewhere, as well as by internet shopping, and people can visit the website to get information on the merchandise,” Nelson said.
Additionally, Finance Director, Stan Harmon is spearheading approaches to interest groups and other establishments to garner material and financial support for the team. Harmon, a respected soccer (football) administrator in the USA, is also integrally involved in the New York Metropolitan Soccer Showcase – a scouting exercise on March 29th to absorb players for college scholarships. He has already put out notices on the event, and though it is not a direct WCC exercise, he intends to “see places being granted to players who can eventually wear the national colors.” The ‘try-outs’ are open to students in the US high school system, GED students and those with foreign credentials such as CXC’s. Harmon informed that “we will also be circulating profiles of selected players to the Professional Development League (PDL), academies and colleges that would not be represented by the 40 or so coaches on hand.”
The committee members agreed that they are constantly dutiful to identifying outstanding foreign-based players to help the technical staff assemble the best possible teams for engagements. “One of the benefits they bring is a level of professionalism which when demonstrated spreads contagiously to the other team members not so exposed before,” Baker conceded.
Meanwhile, WCC chairman John Yates is in his third week in Guyana “to walk the Golden Jaguars’ campaign into the doors of potential sponsors and other stakeholders in this effort,” Baker said. He noted that during a teleconference last Thursday, Yates updated the committee on his meetings so far, and further forays to other businesses and the government. “John, too, is requesting a meeting with President Bharat Jagdeo to bring him up to speed with our efforts and have discourse on the way forward,” Baker said, adding that the Guyanese head of state is the patron of the committee.
The members of the World Cup Committee, who all serve in honorary capacities, are scheduled to meet again tonight at 7:30. Baker said the committee supplements physical meetings with frequent, systemic teleconferencing. “This gives us unlimited interaction which is important in our efforts.”
