Change of government, GFF executive influenced decision to return
—says Alex Bunbury
Rated as one of the greatest football players from Canada, an emotional Alex Bunbury could not fight back tears as he addressed a media gathering yesterday during a press conference held at the Pegasus Hotel.
In the presence of members of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bunbury said, “My brother (Sam) would usually visit (Guyana) and people would always ask me why only now. Why did I wait 40 years to return home?”
Bunbury, who returned to the land of his birth following a 40-year wait Sunday said, “But I always tell them, I can’t be part of something that was not good or healthy to be a part of.”
The former Canada international’s main priority this visit is to put systems in place for the building of the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA) in Guyana.
He noted that the change in the executive structure of the GFF, along with the government are some of the factors that influenced his decision to return to Guyana and make a telling contribution.
He noted that the project will be com- missioned to assist athletes in various disciplines and declared that they will be instilled with the necessary values and beliefs needed to achieve their respective goals.
“When I left Guyana at age nine, I knew nothing about playing football. I actually started playing at 12-years-old and I was taught that the game is 95% heart and brains and the other 5% is your God-given talent.
“Sadly, our athletes in Guyana, some of the most naturally talented in the world, lack that mental ability to make it to the next level and it is my hope that this academy could help them.”
He said the government’s involvement will be pivotal in making the project a reality and a success declaring, “A lot of what we have planned will depend heavily on the involvement of the government.
“So, over the next two weeks we’ll be meeting with them to see where and how we will make this work,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, said the NSC is willing to help in any capacity and will have discussions with Bunbury on the project as they believe it can be beneficial to the country’s sporting aspirations.
Bunbury’s 14-day visit will be high- lighted by several youth clinics, visits to potential ABSAA sites, workshops and meetings with the GFF and government officials.