Jamaica Observer | Sha’Keil Grant
Former Reggae Boyz captain Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner says he’s delighted to be back as ambassador for the Samsung Cup 2014 season scheduled to begin tomorrow.
“It is a good feeling to be once again Samsung’s ambassador, what Samsung is doing is to provide opportunities for these young children and I am glad to be a part of it,” he told the Jamaica Observer at a press conference at the Terra Nova Hotel yesterday.
Gardner, 37, said that the Samsung Cup is a great way to build football for the future.
“I am truly honoured to be here for the second year in a row serving as the official ambassador for the Samsung Cup tournament. We never had any football programmes like the Samsung Cup when I was younger, and this is why I am so happy I have the opportunity to give back and share my knowledge and experience with theses future football stars,” he said.
“There is natural talent here in Jamaica we just need to cultivate it. Tournaments like Samsung Cup supports, enrich and develop Jamaica’s youth,” he added
The former Bolton Wanderers star, who was a part of the historical Reggae Boyz outfit that qualified for the France 1998 World Cup, called for broad-based support for the kids as they chase their dreams.
“What I am proud to do is share my presence along with the vital input provided by coaches. For programmes like these to continue to grow and for our future to continue to grow, these young men and women need the support from the community and from their parents,” he affirmed
“We need to take advantage of these opportunities and show our support so that sponsors like Samsung can continue to fund programmes like this to benefit us all, not to mention it is also a great source of personal satisfaction to see these youngsters enjoy themselves week in, week out at the Samsung Cup tournament.”