17 shortlisted for training for Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers

TIMES INT'L
The Bayrock Beach Soccer Facility in Linden was a hive of activity as players were vying for places
The Bayrock Beach Soccer Facility in Linden was a hive of activity as players were vying for places

The Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) technical squad led by designated Head Coach, Abdullah Hamid, have released a 17-member squad following trials on Sunday, September 18, 2016 as they commence preparation for this year’s Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers 2017.

The squad will commence weekly training on Sundays in preparation for the competition scheduled for the January 29 to the February 5, 2017 on Miami Beach, USA and will have as its Assistant Coach, Dillon Roberts while a Team Manager is to be announced.

This squad, which will be further shortlisted to 15 by the end of October, was drawn from the recently-concluded National Beach Soccer League that was held from January – April, 2016 in KuruKururu Village and Linden.

According to President of the Beach Soccer Association, Rollin Tappin, this is a great opportunity to raise the profile of Beach soccer in Guyana and he expects Guyana to do well. “We’re using some players who have already had international exposure. Once we roll out preparations according to plan, Guyana will be making a good representation for itself; it augurs well for Beach soccer. It will give Beach soccer the boost it needs as it’s no longer a part-time sport. With Guyana’s geography and sand, it will definitely give us a boost going forward in our development.”

Two officials from Guyana – Rollin Tappin and Abdullah Hamid – will participate in a workshop in Miami on October 17 and 18 aimed at sensitizing participating member associations of the tournament as well as participate in the official draw.

The trials were conducted at Bay Rock Beach Soccer Facility, Linden over a two-week period from September 11, 2016 and saw players from various clubs including High Stars Attention Family, Cool Runnings Kurukururu Warriors, Royal Youths, Silver Bullets, Sparta Boss and Alexander Village FC.

Guyana is one of 16 countries vying for two spots in the competition within CONCACAF; only three will qualify and this is the country’s first time participating in this tournament.

Those shortlisted are; Travis Bess (Goalkeeper), Deon Tyrell (GK), Kellon Major (GK), Ethan Spartan (GK), Jermaine Grandison, Marvin Sullivan, Kenard Simon, Tshekederi Whitehead, Gishawn Moore, Trevorn Archibald, Deshawn Joseph, Cordell Johnson, Rodwyn Fraser, Michael Wilson, Keon Sears, Jamal Haynes and Tony Gilbert.

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