20-member Under-20 Squad ready for CONCACAF Championships

…Sueria Manufacturing gets on board

As Guyana prepares to host the CONCACAF U20 Women’s Championships this Saturday, at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD, Head Coach of Guyana’s U20 Women’s Team, Dr. Ivan Joseph, has said the team is well prepared, and is “not just looking to be competitive, but it is our hope and expectation that we will qualify amongst the top two teams, and be ready to move on to the next round.”

Guyana has named a 20-person player squad to compete in the Championships. This squad includes both local and internationally-based players who have been part of the 2018 CFU Women’s Challenge Series. It comprises two Goalkeepers, six Defenders, eight Midfielders and four Forwards.
In an invited comment following the team’s arrival last evening, Dr. Joseph said among the players are “Brianne Desa and Jade Vyfhuis, (who) are some solid players and contributors to our programme here at the U20 level, as well as some up-and -coming newcomers that you’ll see.”
The other players, he added, will also be looking to make a contribution. He said the coaching staff is happy to be back in Guyana, and for Guyana to be host to this tournament against the backdrop of the “excitement of the Gold Cup.” Among the nine (9) members of the coaching staff are two current players from the senior women’s national team, commonly known as the “Lady Jaguars”; they are Kayla De Souza and Brittany Persaud.
While encampment officially begins today, Dr. Joseph is hopeful that team camaraderie would be established, and “the team will be ready to compete.”
The CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Qualifiers will be held from the 13th-21st July. Guyana has been placed in ‘Group A’, along with Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and St. Lucia. The participating teams began arriving last evening, St. Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda are expected today. Admission to all matches is free of charge.

Sueria Manufacturing hops on board
Sueria Manufacturing Inc., through their Aqua Pur (water) and Sleepy Sanitary Napkins brands, have thrown their support behind the ‘Lady Jaguars’ in that team’s quest to win ‘Group A’ of the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championships.
On Thursday, at the Sueria headquarters at 70 Industrial Site, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Managing Director Frank Sanichara met with the ‘Lady Jags’ players and management team to formalise Sueria’s commitment. An avid supporter of sports, Sanichara expressed delight at being visited by the team, while stating that his company, which has always been supportive of sports in Guyana, especially involving youths, will continue in this vein.
“I am very excited to see so many young people (being) involved in sports. We are very proud, we are very happy, to support youths; and I hope ventures like this would encourage not only other private sector companies, but also the Government, to keep youths active and away from drugs and crime,” he declared.
Sanichara reminisced on his boyhood days growing up in Albion as he recalled that youths then were very active in sports, including cricket. He noted that he would love to see a return to those days. “We always were busy. from the age of 9, until 17, you are always busy with sports; and over the past years we’ve not seen that happening. I would love to see other private sector companies supporting teams like yours; it would make a huge difference for your health: mentally, you’ll be better, and physically, you’ll be better. I am very proud to see a young team like you representing my country. Best wishes to you all, to succeed and advance to the next stage,” he declared.
He concluded his remarks by saying that the more support his company gets from customers, the more would the company be able to give back in return.
Ms. Shirlean Alexander, Brand Manager of Sueria, also expressed delight at being able to support the ‘Lady Jags’ in their quest to keep the Golden Arrowhead flying high.
Head Coach of the team, Dr. Ivan Joseph, responding on behalf of the team, said they were truly grateful to Sanichara and his company for the support given. He also cited the importance of sports in the lives of young people, especially women.