GFF, Argentine Ambassador and Pegasus Hotel pay tribute to Maradona

– lifesize exhibit unveiled on 14th December in Georgetown

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has partnered with the Argentine Embassy and Pegasus Hotel to pay tribute to Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who recently passed away. A life-size image of the maestro is being exhibited in the hotel’s foyer for one week.

GFF President Wayne Forde presenting a personalised replica of the Golden Jaguars shirt to Ambassador Gardella

Argentine Ambassador Felipe Alejandro Gardella officially unveiled the tribute at the 2020 GFF Ordinary Congress on Saturday at the Pegasus Hotel. Delegates observed a minute’s silence in memory of one of the game’s finest players, who died on 25th November at age 60.

Ambassador Felipe Gardella and GFF President Wayne Forde unveiling the tribute to Diego Maradona

“I am very grateful for the invitation from the Guyana Football Federation to the Argentine Embassy, and for the tribute to Diego Armanda Maradona,” Ambassador Gardella said. “Football continues, but it has lost an irreplaceable artist. Diego was a product of the humble neighbourhood in which he was born, but if soccer is universal, Maradona is also. He was a player who, to his natural ability, knew how to add a huge heart to never give up and lead his team,” he said. “He was a great captain, a driving force, a great inspiration to everyone who played in his team. And he was excessive, in the game and in life. Rest in peace, dear captain.”
GFF President Wayne Forde presented Ambassador Gardella with a personalised Guyana men’s Senior National Team jersey and Federation pendant at the Congress – the first attended by an Argentine Government official.
“We were honoured to host Ambassador Gardella at our Congress, and to have the opportunity to honour Diego Maradona’s memory in this way. We encourage football fans to have a photo taken with the portrait in celebration of his life and remarkable achievements on the pitch,” GFF President Wayne Forde said. “We would like to thank the Embassy and Pegasus Hotel for helping us to bring this idea to life.”