The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with the Guyana Beverage Incorporated (GBI) yesterday launched the GFF/Kool Kidz Grassroots Programme at the former’s Section-K Campbellville headquarters.
The programme kicks off on March 4th in Tiger Bay and will attract over 80 participants.
Speaking at the launch was International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Regional Director Marlon Glean, who is currently on a three-day visit.
Glean praised the federation for the initiative which is geared towards discovering talent in the respective communities.
According to Glean, the infancy stage is where future stars are unearthed before their development to finished products.
He said that this is the direction FIFA is headed towards adding that football greats such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele and Diego Maradona, would have commenced their careers through similar programmes.
Meanwhile, GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood, explained that such programmes will provide the structure to identify prospective national players.
He added that while the Academic Training Centers (ATC) are providing the necessary impact in the development of youth players, this initiative will be used to expand the overall pool of emerging players.
Commercial Director of GBI, Samuel Arjoon, declared that this is another avenue for the development of the country’s human resource adding that football and many other life skills will be learnt and developed during the programme, including the balancing of academics and sport.
