– FIFA to spend US$150,000 over two years
A life-long dream for football in Guyana will be fulfilled on Sunday when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) launches their National Football League on Sunday at Pegasus Guyana Hotel.
The league follows the WIN WITH CONCACAF IN CONCACAF Programme which was initiated by President of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Austin ‘Jack’ Warner and endorsed by President of the sport’s World governing body FIFA, Joseph Sepp Blatter.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Colin Klass, President of the GFF, said that the programme takes different forms in the respective countries in which it is being conducted and Guyana has benefited from the form of a National League.
Ten teams drawn from sub-associations around the country, namely Linden, Bartica, Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank, are slated to participate in the league which is expected to be kicked off on September 6 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Initially, on that day, a match was slated with the Golden Jaguars coming up against Barbados but the GFF was informed that the Bajans would be unavailable and they are in the process of securing a match for the national unit.
Team Selection
It was noted by the GFF that the teams were selected based on the geographical location of their sub-associations and the performance of the various teams in those associations.
“One of the things we have emphasised over the years is that this is a national programme which means that all associations must be given an opportunity to excel at the highest level and that was part of our basis of arriving. . .,” said Klass.
He said, however, that “all the associations would not be involved because we don’t feel that they are at the level right now but more of them are and the top teams of those chosen are down to be part of the National League.”
But prior to yesterday’s press conference, it was stated that as part of the request by FIFA and CONCACAF, all selected teams must have a nursery.
The Guyana Defence Force, for example, is part of the league and it is widely known that they do not participate outside of senior competition but Klass said that in the pilot project they are using the opportunity to educate and to advice persons to give them a final chance.
“This would not only be for the WIN WITH CONCACAF WITH CONCACAF, participation in any national programme, you would have to have a junior department. Development can’t be effective if there is nothing on which the seniors are gaining from, there must be a precursor in terms of development, so come next year teams would automatically be eliminated – it is a FIFA requirement that we have a nursery,” the GFF boss added.
Funding
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has given US$150,000 (GY-$30,000,000) to the GFF for the running of the league and according to Klass, the money was allocated for over a two-year period.
This allocation does not cater for the league’s prize money, leaving the GFF to vigorously seek sponsorship.
“We have been working with a number of sponsors in terms of getting on board since like I have said before, FIFA would initiate this process in terms of supporting us in various manner but after two years FIFA would decrease or maybe disappear in some instances and local sponsors would really need to take up the mantle in support of the GFF effort of sustaining the national league,” Klass explained.
But the ultimate goal is to transform the National League into a professional one according to Klass: “We are believing and working towards ensuring that this National League develops into a professional league, that is the focus and intention and that is what we are trying to achieve… We want to ensure that from this, the level and the standard for a professional league is attained and achieved and that our personnel are attained and equipped to deliver at a high level.”
CONCACAF President ‘Jack’ Warner and FIFA regional developmental officer Harold Taylor are expected to arrive in Guyana for the launching.
Warner who is also FIFA’s Vice President is also down to make a courtesy call on President Bharrat Jagdeo and also to address several matters relating to football.
