President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde says his goal is to make football the number one sport in Guyana.
According to a press release from the GFF, Forde is of the belief that the sport of football will become the most successful and popular sport in Guyana once reform and development programmes bear fruit in the coming years.
Forde made the disclosure yesterday on the eve of the visit of CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani who will today launch the GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson Memorial Intra-Association U-15 Tournament.
“With increased funding from world governing body FIFA and a stable administration in place, the GFF is working to lay a sustainable foundation for football across Guyana through grassroots and youth development, as well as stricter regulations and governance reform,” the press release stated.
“By the time my tenure is over as the president of this fraternity, football will be the number one sport in Guyana – I have no doubt in my mind,” said GFF President Forde in an in-house interview.
“I think that is something, as an Executive Committee, we will be able to do successfully,” he added.
Forde said the public support and encouragement the GFF had received from FIFA and CONCACAF was instrumental in raising confidence in the sport and the national governing body after years of underperformance.
“People are starting to take notice that Guyana is getting serious about football,” Forde said.
“I’m very happy that both FIFA and, with the pending visit of (CONCACAF) President Montagliani, they are essentially saying to us that we have seen what you have been doing and we are pleased, and we are here to support you, and we want everyone to know that we are satisfied with what is taking place in Guyana.”
Forde said plans were now in place to strengthen and reform football governance at all levels around the country so that development programmes could have a long-term and sustainable impact on the growth of the sport.
“The reform process is very relevant to where Guyana football is at the moment and where it needs to be in another couple of years. We will get there,” he said. “There were credibility issues and it’s important that we break that cycle. Guyana is a country that needs to register its presence, and I have made it a specific responsibility of mine to set a serious tone for Guyana football.”
