Simoes grateful for Jamaica
Happy to be part of successful Porus Football Festival
Published:Tuesday | July 18, 2023 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
IN RECENT times, calls for 1998 World Cup qualification coach René Simoes to be honoured nationally has gathered momentum.
However, the Brazilian, who was guest of honour along with members of the ‘98 team at the Porus Football Festival on Sunday at the Porus Community Centre, was quick to remind those calling that he was honoured by the Jamaican Government in 1998 with an Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander.
Simoes is very proud of that honour.
“I will just point one thing. I was presented in Mandeville with the key and I saw the comments on Instagram of JFF [Jamaica Football Federation] and the people say coach must get something bigger.
“But the country gave me commander of distinction medal. That time in 1998 it was the biggest medal a foreigner had received, so it was a big honour.
“When I received commander of distinction. I was the first foreigner to receive that medal. Sometimes I take pictures. I show the Brazilians and I think this was a great recognition I received.
“So I, René Simoes, have received the commander of distinction. That’s the recognition of the country. Maybe people don’t know. But now I said that I was awarded,” Simoes told The Gleaner.
Although he appreciates the sentiment, he insists it is not important to him, as his only focus is to improve himself as an individual daily.
“It’s excellent (being honoured). But I don’t live for what I did. I live for what I want to do and I prepare myself always to be better than I was before.
“I have no complaints about anything I have received from Jamaica. I want to praise Jamaica. I have worked in seven different countries and when they say which the most you like, it’s no doubt, Jamaica.”
Simoes was recently appointed technical director of new club in Brazil, Zinza FC, and despite the new project consuming much of his time, he said nothing could keep him from accepting the invitation to visit his second home again.
He also thanked Crenston Boxhill and the parish of Manchester for hosting and honouring him with the key to Mandeville and for the ‘98 achievement.
“I am the coach of a new club in Brazil and I spoke with the president and say I cannot say ‘no’ for this. I cannot lose this opportunity to feel the spirit and talk to many people and he said ‘okay’.
“This is wonderful. I enjoyed myself. Once Boxhill called, I have to move. It’s a wonderful job he is doing here and we need to do more things like that.
“I would like to thank all Jamaicans for the kindness. They received me and my wife, and to be recognised is fantastic. What the Porus community is doing is very emotional for me. My feeling is very high,” he commented.
Boxhill also thought the festival was enjoyable and fulfilling.
“It was unbelievable. Fantastic. This is what we hoped for. The vibes with the former players, we haven’t seen in quite a while.
“It was like a family get-together and it was really a joy to watch and see everyone enjoy themselves,” he said.