Guyana: Prez Irfaan Ali works to make dream of participating in World Cup a reality

Guyana: President of Republic of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali reiterated that the Government would work along with all football stakeholders to ensure that the dream of Guyana participating in the World Cup becomes a reality.

He told an audience of football officials, corporate executives and footballers at the official launch of the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament at State House last evening that the Government is committed to removing all barriers that hinder the national team from moving up at the global level.

This year’s tournament has already started with the inter-regional battle, and the best 25 players per region will now be selected to compete in a national competition. Following the tournament, set to conclude later this month, the best 75 players will be selected to form a national pool and will make football their “fuel and food” for the next few years as Guyana looks to advance its chances at the regional and global levels.

The players will also benefit from part-time employment.

Picture Courtesy: President of Guyana

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“The Government is hoping to put together a team that can give their best and compete to get to the next World Cup… At least we know we’re giving it our best shot,” President Ali stated.

The president added that in order for Guyana to reach the highest level, we must dream big and convert the dream into a vision and the vision into reality.

“Today, I want us all to believe that we can do it….”

The Head of State used the opportunity to also extend gratitude to corporate sponsors who are on board for their “commitment to national development,” these include Caribbean Airlines, New GPC, Ansa McAl, GTT, Digicel and Beharry Group, among others.

He presented the respective team t-shirts to sponsors as well as team captains from Regions 1 to 10.

Senior Government officials, sponsors, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) representatives as well as tournament players were also at the event.