Golden Jaguars players’ fitness called into question

…“Just mindboggling how they don’t keep themselves in shape” – Coach Dover

By Akeem Greene

Guyana National Football team, commonly called Golden Jaguars, began training last Thursday for their International Friendly against Grenada on October 7 and the sore point of the 28-man provisional squad lies with their fitness.
“These young guys are good talents. It is just mindboggling how they don’t keep themselves in shape in anticipation of a call up to represent their country. We will have to continue working to sensitise them on the importance of always being fit as athletes,” Interim Head Coach Wayne Dover told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday evening after a training session at the Guyana Defence Force Ground at Camp Ayangana in Georgetown.

Since Guyana Defence Force were crowned champions of the Elite League in March, there has not been any National League action. There have been at least two tournaments in Georgetown, one of the which extended its arms to other associations but one of the country’s main platforms to select for National duty has not resumed.
Responding on whether the aforementioned facts would have attributed to the below-par fitness levels, the coach maintained that it is duty to keep a respectable level of fitness as professionals.
Jaguars last tasted international exposure in March when they played Martinique in a goalless draw at the McKenzie Sports Club, Linden.
Dover, who was the helm for that fixture further explained, “At this stage our aim and focus is getting them physically and mentally ready, all of the other areas we identify that need improving we will have separate sessions to concentrate on that solely.”
The squad only contains locally based players but Dover explained that foreign based additions from the diaspora will be added based on their “scouting.”
Guyana and Grenada last played each other in March 2015 at the National Stadium, Providence when a first half double by Pernell Shultz eased Guyana to a 2-0 win. Since 1980 the two sides have met on 16 occasions with Guyana winning 7, drawing one and losing the remaining eight.
“The message is that we need a positive result and the result depends on their level of fitness and the way they approach the game, the intensity they have so that we can get the necessary results,” the coach disclosed.
‘Jackie Chan the mentor’ *
Arguably one of Guyana’ most distinguished forwards, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson earned a recalled to the National squad. He last played for Guyana during last year’s Caribbean Cup.
Dover explained the presence of the 35-year old in the squad is for him to play a mentoring role.
“Some of the more seasoned players are in the United States on holiday and they will not be returning in time for this this game hence the reason Gregory [Richardson] has been brought in to play a different role from the days when he was our main star player. He is here more to help grandfather this team, not from a stand point of being and old man but using his experience and exposure.”
The coach further elaborated, “the good thing is that Gregory has been a role model in football and once he is around, the younger ones tend to respect him and listen him based on the fact he has been there and done it before.”
The final squad is scheduled for a two-day encampment in Trinidad before leaving for Grenada on October 5.
The provisional squad comprises of: (goalkeepers) Richie Richards, Alex Murray, Johnathan Copeland, Kellon Major. (defenders) Jeremey Garrett, Jamaine Cummberbatch, Delroy Ferdinand, Travis Henry, Cecil Jackman, Shomol Smith, Solomon Austin. (midfielders) Curtez Kelman, William Europe, Ryan Dowding, Denzil Fordyce, Delwyn Fraser, Eusi Phillips, Anthony Benfield, Eon Alleyne, Ryan Hackett, Delon Wrights, Jamal Pedro, Darren Benjamin, Dwyane McLennon, Jamal Haynes. (forwards) Gregory Richardson, Shane Haynes and Randolph Wagner.