Last year the two parties had a falling out over the running of the inter-block nationwide football tournament but now the Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) are heading in the direction of a collaborative effort to stage this year’s event.

The initiative started in 2007 through the office of the Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Sport Ministry, Steve Ninvalle, and last year it was chastised by the GFF over the move to play the sport without their consent in communities around the country.

A firm stand by the GFF saw a few of its officials being brought to their disciplinary committee and it sparked a controversy regarding the running of the tournament.

However, this time around, Ninvalle said that they have written to GFF whom they respect as the higher authority for football in Guyana to help in the development of the game from the grassroots level.

Stabroek Sport was privy to a copy of the letter which was sent to the GFF, directed to its president Colin Klass.

The letter dated February 1, noted that the ministry would like to work in partnership to “bring about camaraderie and foster a good relationship among participating communities throughout Guyana and nurture the sport at the grassroots level with an aim of increasing the participation of persons outside of the club structure.”

Contacted on Wednesday, Klass said that he has not yet seen the letter but has spoken to the Parliamentary Secretary about the partnership.

“Well I haven’t seen the letter as yet, but like we have said before we just want things to be done the right way and yes, we would be looking to working with them or anyone in that regard who would help in the development of football in Guyana,” said Klass.