Farewell game

I love Barbados, I will always love Barbados.”

These were the sentiments of the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Barbados, Gustavo Martinez Pandiani who at one stage appeared to have to hold back tears after a Celebrity Friendly football game to wish him farewell.

Pandiani said he has been around the world to many places but he “has never ever before fallen in love with a society before like I did with Barbados”.

There is no surprise that Argentines love football and are passionate about the game and the same holds true for the Ambassador who has shared his passion with Barbados.

The match was full of touches and Pandiani assisted in a goal as Friends of Argentina won 3-1 over Friends of Barbados.

Playing at the Barbados Football Association’s Wildey turf, the Ambassador looked at home on a wet field commanding the left side of the field and directing traffic.

There were some delightful touches on the field and it was his side that scored first and took the lead eventually going on to lead 2-0.

The Ambassador came back on for the final 10 minutes of the game after playing almost 60 minutes in the rolling sub format.

From the left side he set up his side’s third and final goal to celebrate with the specially invited guests.

After the match President of the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Randy Harris delivered a thank you speech for the time spent with the Ambassador who has become a friend of many.

Harris mentioned about the junior team was able to go to Argentina and it being the first time any team from Barbados being able to visit one of the big nations.

“I want to thank you for what you have done for the Barbados Football Association … and for me personally, as you have taken me to another level.”

Harris presented a token in an effort to show their appreciation and “some of the love you the Ambassador has shown, not only in football but in the wider society”.

“We have never had an Ambassador like you.”

The token read, “From the Barbados Football Fraternity, to our unforgettable Argentine Ambassador Gustavo Pandiani, October 18, 2020. Friends Never Say Goodbye.”

The BFA board also presented him with a full Barbados kit.

Harris added: “We don’t want you to forget about us because we will never forget about you.”

Though he was feeling sad that he was leaving he was feeling happy because he was leaving with a lot of friends that he will keep forever in his heart. He said he will be back as he has the perfect excuse with Crop Over and he has been practising his ‘wuk up’.

“This is a privilege and an honour and probably the happiest moment in the last few years in Barbados.”

Speaking about the Celebrity game which featured past players both male and female, entertainers, and business men Pandiani said that, “I feel I have shared time with my friends and my family. I have been here for almost three years without my daughters, without family but I feel and I felt that I had and I have a family.”

“I am not going to forget about Barbados. Barbados is going to be always in my heart and it is not only because of this game, this game is just the final gesture of a society that has welcomed me and I feel part of it.”

“I don’t feel I leave as a foreigner. I was part of your community and I really thank you for that. I am going to take it with me forever.”

As he looked back on the many things which have transpired over the years, he said that, “My biggest recognition ever has been from the people and the community. I have a great relationship with the Government. But as a diplomat I don’t feel I only represent my Government to your Government.

“I feel I represent my people to your people and in that sense I think our people got together.”

“Of course we did a lot technical things, ... projects, we helped your sports community, your farmers, your fishing community but that is not the most important. The most important is that our cultures are closer, your artists, your footballers, your netballers, your boxers. All the sports community knows who is the Ambassador of Argentina and we share the same sentiment, we believe we are together in this, the promoting of football and all the sports.”

“I like to live in the streets talking to my friends, sharing your good and your bad sides. Whatever you need, whatever I need, I know I can call any of you. I have so many friends I am taking with me.”

“I hope that after Covid I will be able to come back and ... you have a friend in Argentina.”

Despite leaving to go back home, Pandiani said that he plans to keep working for Barbados’ sports from his position in the Government in Argentina. To this regard, he has already spoken to a number of sporting administrators such as Kathy Harper Hall from boxing, Nesha Craigwell from netball, Randy Harris from football and Roland Butcher as it relates to cricket.