GFC, Brazilian Embassy to host memorial match for Chapecoense plane crash victims
Recently, a chartered plane with a Brazilian first division football team, Chapecoense crashed near Medellin while on its way to the finals of a South American tournament, killing 71 of the 77 people on board the flight. Nineteen of the dead were footballers while 21 were journalists.
Ever since, the global football fraternity has plunged into mourning thus top clubs, players and football associations and federations have shown their respect to the situation in various ways. Some by moments of silence, some by tweets, and some by lighting stadiums in the team’s traditional colour, green.
More than a week has past and there continues to be grief among football lovers globally. It remains a shock and is still fresh in the minds of many. Like the authorities here at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), who will on Saturday December 17 host a memorial match to celebrate the life and achievement of the players, officials and everyone who succumbed when what was supposed to be a celebration turned into a tragedy.
The Chapecoense football team before the fatal airplane accident
The match will feature GFC against a combined Brazilian unit, formed from Brazilians who reside in Guyana. The match is scheduled for 16:45h on the aforementioned date.
The Brazilian Embassy here is expected to partner with GFC during this symbolic match and the Brazilian ambassador to Guyana HE Lineu Pupo de Paula is also expected to deliver remarks on the occasion. There will also be other presentations and like activities in keeping with the event.
In addition the GFC aims to bridge the gap between Guyana and Brazil with respect to football through this match and subsequent events.
Seven persons were pulled out from the crashed plane alive but one died subsequently, leaving two of the nine crew members, three players and one journalist as the only survivors.
The Brazilian side was this week awarded the Copa Sudamericana, the South American equivalent of the Europa League, by regional football confederation Conmebol.
Colombian opponents Atletico Nacional, who asked for Chapecoense to be awarded the trophy, have been given a Fair Play award.
The general public is encouraged to support the event as spectators free of cost while wearing green to show support for the fallen heroes.
For information contact GFC’s General Manager Faizal Khan on 618-7013
