Cape Verde: Gomes out, Barros in?

[by Kris SANTIAGO] - According to a story in the Boston Globe, Cape Verde can't count on the services of their star Ryan Gomes in the Olympic qualifiers in Athens. 

Gomes' wife is awaiting their first child so Ryan won't be part of the team this year but hopes to play in 2012 for the national team to qualify for the Olympics. 

This is going to be way tougher compared to this year, let's see if that is going to happen. 

41-year old Ex-NBA player Dana Barros, who is currently working for the Boston Celtics as a director of player personnel, may be available to suit up for Cape Verde, and showed interest to do so. 

Let's see how he can contribute to the young team if he is able to get into shape in time. 

He did not play in the NBA for quite a long time (Appeared in one game in 2004 for the Celtics after being waived by the Pistons in the 2001-2002 season where he suited up in 29 games) and as a point guard, he may lacks the speed to compete with quicker and younger guards these days.
Here is an actual picture of Dana.

The whole story can be found here.

I also asked Dan Klotz, who is Cape Verde's representative in the United States about the news. Here is his response:

"We have long been proud to have the interest and support of Dana Barros in a variety of ways. It’s a surprise to me, and I think to many, that he would suit up and PLAY for the national team, having long been retired from the NBA. But let me say this: if we can't get the only NBA player who is Cape Verdean American to play for us (Ryan Gomes), having Dana Barros (the 1st player of Cape Verdean origin to play in the NBA) join his cousin, point guard Tony Barros, on the squad would be fantastic! Dana's roles as the head of recreation for the City of Boston and as a key member of the Boston Celtics organization will translate well to a leadership role with the Cape Verde national team. And Dana and Tony are supported by longtime veterans like European and African pros Mario Correia and Marques Houtman, as well as top college players, hopefuls such as Providence College star guard Jeff Xavier."

Personally, I am curious if a player that hasn't played for a long time on a professional level and who is way beyond his prime can make a difference at the Olympic qualifiers against Germany and New Zealand, but who knows, maybe Dana is going to lead with his experience his fellow teammates to victory.

You may remember: Cameroon's football national-team once called-up 38-year old Roger Milla out of retirement to play the world cup in Italy 1990 and he scored four goals to lead his team to the quarter-finals. Maybe Dana can follow Milla's footsteps in Greece to surprise anyone including me.