FIFA Development Officer Howard McIntosh said yesterday that even though the world governing body is concerned with the current progress of the Goal Project, the entity is still committed to its construction and development in the country.
Speaking at a press conference held at the federation’s Section K Campbellville office, McIntosh said:“Part of the reason for my visit was to discuss with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and the federation in terms of moving the project along. We are concerned at the pace of the project.”
He continued:“We got today a renewed commitment of seeing things moving on because we are still committed to the development of the project. We want to see the facility move along.
“Nothing has changed in terms of the commitment, the funds are there and the commitment is there. The hope is that we get things going.”
He stated that another reason for his visit was to look at other facilities specifically in the New Amsterdam region and that the development of girls and women football was also discussed.
He noted:“It’s not only about the capital city, it’s about development everywhere. FIFA is interested to see development in the region and in Guyana.
“We also had the opportunity to discuss the grassroots programme with the Minister (Dr. Frank Anthony) which is a national programme. The President (GFF president Christopher Matthias) said that that will be launched shortly,” said McIntosh.
McIntosh said that he anticipates the creation of a task force shortly to ensure the speedy progress of the project while stating that that he hopes that the federation will be able to acquire a lease for the land that will is currently being used for the project.
Questioned about the time frame with regards to the Goal project, McIntosh said “We have not done a good job in terms of managing the project. We have some shining examples in the region (Caribbean) of the projects being implemented quickly but we need to see things to get moving properly.
“Personally for its frustrating, it’s not only in Guyana we have this problem. We just have to put our shoulders to the wheel and get things done. Guyana should easily have been on their third or fourth project.”
GFF President Matthias during brief comments stated that McIntosh’s visit was to ascertain the current progress of the goal project.
“The Government is committed to football having a home starting with the moving of the project from Orangestein to the Leonora.”
He stated:“We spoke with the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport to crystalize where we are at. They are specific requirements that must be in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and that will be submitted shortly.”
Questioned about the time frame for the submission of the MOU, Matthias said “The government already has a draft and the rest of the ingredients for the MOU will be submitted very shortly.”
