The government of Guyana came in for a tongue-lashing from president of the Guyana Football Federation Colin Klass, who claimed that no assistance was received from the administration for the national Under-23 football team.

In a hard-hitting disclosure, tantamount to showing the government a yellow card, Klass declared that no one had seen it fit to even congratulate the Under-23s for their history-making entry into the second round of the Olympic Qualifiers.

“To the best of my knowledge, no contribution has been made (by government). It’s unfortunate. Most disappointingly there hasn’t been not even a word of encouragement to these youngsters,” Klass said at a press conference yesterday.

“If there is a reason to ridicule then you ought to do so, but when there is a time to give praise you ought to give praise,” Klass declared.

The national Under-23 side defeated Barbados by a 5-3 aggregate to qualify for the second round of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier. The locals will play a home-and-away tie against the strong Costa Rica team next month.

“I was so disappointed that since the national Under-23 team made an effort to perform, there has not been one word to say congratulations or well done. We need to give them something that will make them want to go on and a little encouragement wouldn’t cost a lot. I would hope that the relevant authority would address this. It is not in football alone but the rugby junior team did well also. The youths need to be encouraged.”

“It is surprising,” Klass added. “Regardless of the circumstance any national team reflects on the country. The cricket team cannot be treated as children and football as step children. It’s not to me as president but to the team. We see words going to our cricket team.”

Klass said that he met with the Under-23s yesterday and the members were very concerned. “The only person who visited us and showed some sort of encouragement was the new chairman of the Sports Commission.

“Many people are annoyed when you say things but it hurts you. In other countries you are treated with respect. In our country you are treated like nothing,” Klass declared.

Klass was supported by Technical Director Neider Dos Santos. “You don’t see in the papers that GFF qualifies for the next round of competition. You see Guyana qualifies,” Dos Santos said.

Efforts yesterday to get a comment from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Gail Teixeira proved futile.