When Guyana’s Golden Jaguars take on Suriname in their return fixture of their second round world Cup qualifying match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, today, they should not worry about medical support.
Thanks to the efforts of organizing secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major the visiting United States Army Medical team yesterday donated not only medical supplies, but also their services to the Jaguars for today’s fixture.
Officer in Charge of the unit, Colonel Matthew Ridge, thanked the GFF, whose president Colin Klass was present, for the invitation to offer medical assistance to the team in today’s encounter.
“I want to thank you for offering us the opportunity to present not only these supplies to the team, but also our services. Colonel Ware, who is an orthopaedic surgeon back in the USA, has done several orthopaedic surgeries back in Linden and is available to check your players out prior to tomorrow’s game.”
He added:“ We want to check your players’ condition, looking for any aches or sprains with the assistance of the physiotherapists as we want to get them in top shape for the game tomorrow (today). We will be there supporting the team as you have been there supporting us on our mission here.”
Colonel Ware also expressed his heartfelt thanks to the GFF, stating that he was honoured to serve the Golden Jaguars tomorrow (today).
“I must say that I am honoured to be asked to be on the bench for this game which is an important one in Guyana’s football history for the players. Certainly in the middle of a game, many times as we have experienced in United States football which is a very different kind of football, there are many injuries and we have been able to deter that so the occasion may arise where we might be able to help the players return.
“As far as today, I would like to see if we can help the players not just for this event, but for the long run where perhaps they can understand their body a little bit better not just for increased speed or anything like agility but certainly to prevent them from being easily injured in the future.”
Klass thanked the medical team which also included one Guyanese from Linden, Staff Sergeant Hilliman, who led the team during their tour of the mining town last week for their donation.
“Staff Sergeant Hilliman who endorses or I think anchored Guyana to the US Army. It is always good when we could link the process and I think he had to have had something to do with the bond in Linden. The thing about the team is that quite a number of players come from Linden including the captain Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard.
“It has really been a privilege and an honour for us to have you here. We were happy when we were told that you were willing to offer your assistance whilst here. I think for Guyana, like the situation in Linden, all of our players would consider it a privilege to have you look at them and to advise them on the way forward.”
He added:“ There is so much to be done and I guess all can’t be done, but whatever little is being done will help to eliminate whatever difficulties they have been facing and even further prepare us for this very important game. So on behalf of the GFF, I would like to say thanks to you for this sterling contribution and we do look forward to working with you in the future. I know for sure that the guys would be giving you a win for you to take back home with you to use as a memorable moment to bring you back to Guyana.”
Team physiotherapist Oba Gulston, whilst highlighting the fact that he has worked with the Trinidad and Tobago team who travel with at least three physiotherapists, also expressed his delight for the assistance given by the team of medical doctors.
“In football, you always get one or two niggling injuries and with the resources we have had at hand recently, the other trainer and I always had to perform what you may call something short of miracles.
“Guyana have a tremendous bunch of players and there are some things they can benefit from. It would be good for you to work along with the team and it is certainly a pleasure and an honour to have you guys work along with a team and I am certain that we can do a lot for the Guyana football team.”
