The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) during a simple presentation ceremony at their Campbellville headquarters yesterday, donated football equipment to 11 constituted clubs from various associations.
GFF President Christopher Matthias during the feature address said that there was no progress or success without structure and order and as such, to be considered a properly constituted club and/or association, the respective entity must meet all, if not most of the stipulated criteria.
He noted that the designated criteria for the clubs are an executive with their respective name, designation, mailing address, contact number and email address, a constitution, bank account number, proof of a junior department, minimal of 18 registered players, practice venue, payment of affiliation fee to association, proof of two fund raising projects, yearly audited financial statement and AGM due date.
With respect to the associations, Matthias said the criteria are executive with their respective name, designation, mailing address, contact number and email address, a constitution, bank account number, name of registered coach, name of registered clubs, proof of an office, payment of affiliation fee, proof of one fund raising project, yearly audited financial statement and AGM due date.
Matthias noted that the federation will attempt to donate one million dollars to every constituted association to help towards development. He further noted that they will also attempt to aid the associations in the purchasing of a motorbus to assist with the travelling of their respective teams.
According to Matthias “89 clubs would have submitted their information during the period of March 14th -21st 2014. So far only 11 would have achieved most of the criteria. We hope that in time all the clubs would meet all the criteria.
“We are committed to development of football but in a structured manner. We now know what defines a club, an association and for the first time, we have identified the minimum requirements for the selection for national duties,” added Matthias.
Executive Committee Member of the GFF, Keith O’Jeer said: “I am really glad to see we have reached this stage where these items will be dispersed to the clubs that meet the requirements. I hope this is not a one-time donation. I hope the clubs continue stay with their structure and football will rise.”
The 11 clubs that were recipients of the equipment were New Amsterdam United, Netrockers FC, Buxton United, Monedderlust FC, Hope FC, Rosignol United FC, Henrietta FC, Grove Hi-Tech, Corriverton Links FC, Stewartville FC and Soesdyke Falcons FC.
New Amsterdam United who was the only club to be 100 percent full constituted, received 12 footballs, 15 nine inch cones, 10 twelve inch cones, 30 markers, two ball bags, two pairs of mini goals and five pair of shin pads.
The other clubs who were 90 percent fully constituted, were recipient’s five footballs, eight nine inch cones, six 12 inch cones, 15 markers, 2 ball bags, 1 pair of mini goals and five pair of shin pads respectively.