Slingerz just need to prove themselves — Curtez Kellman

– Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

A new day has dawned for the Slingerz Football Club. A few new faces are now in the lineup and, more importantly, new leadership is at the helm. While some may find change daunting, this is not the case for one particular Slingerz ‘old head’.
Curtez Kellman, who has welcomed the changes at the club ahead of Elite League Season 7, spoke exclusively with Guyana Times Sport in making some disclosures.
Kellman discussed the club’s ongoing preparation after several major signings, and has described the leadership of Jamal Shabazz as just what the team needed.
“I think we’re doing well thus far. I think the group has shown tremendous understanding going forward. On the conditioning side of things, I think the team is coping very well. Obviously, the coach is taking it bit by bit, so that we can reach a fitness standard. We’re doing pretty well,” Kellman, who also plays for the Golden Jaguars, has shared.
“With the gaffer being here too, this is what we needed. You know, on the tactical side of things, he’s implementing a lot in the team so far,” he added.
By now, the January transfer window for shopping to be done by Slingerz has been widely discussed, but the Golden Jaguars defender only sees the moves as finding the missing pieces of the Slingerz team’s puzzle.
“It’s the missing piece of the puzzle that we needed. And yes, we got Kelsey; he’s been doing well so far. It’s been easy for him. Within the session, it shows that he adapts really quick, and that love for him within the team has been shown as well,” Kellman explained.
“For the other players coming in, it will be the same. They just have to come early, get their feet wet, so that we could go in and be a force to reckon with this league,” Kellman advised.
Discussing what the team needs to work on to clinch the coveted Elite League title, Kellman highlighted the values Shabazz instilled as a key component for their success. “I think it’s the understanding of players,” he highlighted as a key component that was absent last season.
“With Coach Shabazz being here, he has instilled in players that this is no mediocre programme. He came to do a job, and his job is to lead us to the championship. And I think as of right now, majority of the players, if not the whole team, has bought in to his information that he’s giving; and it’s only a matter of time for us to go and execute what he has taught us on the pitch,” Kellman continued.
Although Kellman is of the opinion that his team is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, in the Elite League this season, he expressed the conviction that they still need to go out and prove themselves.
“I think like most fans, or the people who are football lovers or supporters, will know that on paper we are the strongest team within the country; but we need to go out and prove it that we are,” Kellman has said.
“I think with the players that are coming in and the players that we have right now, (we) have a fair understanding of what the coach wants on the pitch. And now, like I mentioned in my previous comment, it’s how we go out on the pitch and execute; and I think our chances are high,” Kellman detailed.
Illustrating with a laugh, he detailed, “It’s like on the gambling app 1:20 against the other teams. I’m pretty much confident with this league going forward, and at the end of the League, I see Slingerz being crowned Champions.”
The Elite League kicks off on Sunday, March 9, 2025.