Guyanese midfielder Curtez Kellman has embarked on the opportunity of a lifetime, trying out for the Kansas City II in the USA from February 6-25.
This was made possible by the Alex Bunbury Sport and Academic Academy (ABSAA), which stated that it was “pleased to be supporting the development of young football players in Guyana by securing pro tryouts overseas in order for the athletes to gain experience from the First World training regimen”.
Curtez Kellman in the Kansas City dressing room this week
Kellman, who recently led Western Tigers FC to a second-place finish in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Kashif and Shanghai Men’s Super-16 Cup, has also turned out for the Guyana national team and Georgetown Football Club (GFC). The 23-year-old has also plied his trade at Eastern Florida State College and Daytona State College in the USA’s college soccer circuit.
The ABSAA has reported that Kellman arrived in the US late Sunday night and would be settling in with Bunbury’s young son, 16-year-old Sporting Kansas City II forward Mataeo Bunbury – sharing the same apartment since the young Bunbury is training on the Kansas City II team, which play in USL Championship. Kellman’s travel costs were also covered by Bunbury.
Bunbury, a Canadian Hall of Famer, stated that he was passionate about the development of football players and it brought him tremendous joy to be able to be of assistance to young men and women in Guyana.
When Guyana Times Sport reached out to Kellman for a comment, the youth noted that he was extremely grateful for the opportunity.
“I feel very grateful for this opportunity that was created by Mr Alex Bunbury. I’d really like to thank him for providing these few days of trials with the team to, you know, showcase my talent and show what I have, so that I can get a chance at getting a contract and do what I love most – playing football,” Kellman told this publication.
When asked to recount the few days he has been at the club’s tryouts, the midfielder noted that he was especially fascinated with the professional atmosphere.
He explained, “It has been a really good experience thus far. Getting the chance to see and be around a professional set-up. Everything that they do, both on and off the pitch, is from a professional standpoint and mindset and thus far the experience is really great.”
“I’d love to get the opportunity to be here, to be around the professional set-up for a very long time,” he went on to add.
Not only is Kellman looking to make his country proud but to also lend a hand to other up-and-coming Guyanese ballers.
“With this opportunity, I’d really be grateful I’d make Guyana proud, my family; and also it would be a big opportunity for me to create chances for other young, talented players back in Guyana,” he told Guyana Times Sport.
