Brackenridge gives nod to Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’
Published:Saturday | November 9, 2024 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
Harbour View’s central defender and vocal leader on and off the field, Romaine Brackenridge, has revealed that he will be taking his talents to the Guyanese senior men’s national team.
The now 30-year-old, who qualifies to represent the ‘Golden Jaguars’ through his great grandparents, further explained that the decision was done to carry on the legacy set by his great grandfather, Thomas Qualis, in the South American country.
“He was a servant of the country, he has passed away but I wanted to carry on his legacy in the country through sports and I think this decision is one that I made in his memory. So that’s one of the main reasons for the decision,” he explained.
Despite being a standout at the ISSA Manning Cup level with Vauxhall High and then at the semi-professional ranks for Rockfort FC, Portmore United, Tivoli Gardens, where he was named captain at the age of 19, and his current club Harbour View, Brackenridge fell short of earning any caps at either the Reggae Boyz youth or senior levels. Back in 2017, Brackenridge was part of the local contingent that received call-ups for two friendly internationals against the United States but failed to secure any playing time. According to the no-nonsense defender, while he has proven himself at every team, he doesn’t understand why he didn’t manage to secure playing time for his country.
“At the end of the day, that decision wasn’t up to me. I’ve put in the work, I’ve won everything there is to win in the Caribbean, I’ve proven myself at every team. I’ve been consistent but the decision to put me over the line has yet to come. I don’t know the reason for that,” he shared.
Brackenridge added that the decision to represent Guyana wasn’t a hard one, as he got the blessings of his grandfather to play for the team.
“I’m proving myself every week at the highest level in the country, I’ve played at the highest level in the Caribbean, which is in the Champions Cup, but still nothing to show in my country of birth. Therefore, it was an easy decision because, before my grandfather passed away, he wanted me to play for the Guyanese national team,” he shared.
Brackenridge also revealed that while the Guyanese Football Association had eyes on him for some time, it was former Wolmer’s Boys and Molynes United coach, Alex Thomas, who told them that he can lace up for the Guyanese team.
“He was the one who told them that I’m eligible to play for Guyana,” he revealed.