Machine Corporation of Guyana Ltd. (MACORP) has inked a partnership with the Guyana Football Federation [GFF], donating one million dollars on Thursday to aid in the development of the sport.
In attendance at the presentation on Thursday at the entity’s East Bank Demerara location were GFF President Wayne Forde, Managing Director Guillermo Escarraga and Chief Financial Officer/Human Resources Manager of MACORP Anita Ramprasad.
Escarraga during brief remarks said, “We recognize the work that you have done and that work is what has made us interested in entering this partnership with the Guyana Football Federation. We’ve seen the progress that football has been making in Guyana, we’ve seen that for the first time you’ve qualified for Gold Cup in the history of the sport in Guyana, this is very remarkable. And we see a lot of potential in the future of the development of football and we want to be part of it, and this is the first step in this relationship that we hope continues for the development of the sport.”
According to Escarraga, “MACORP stands behind the Guyana Football Federation in this quest to get to the higher level. We really believe that the potential is there, we’ve seen the talent, and we’ve seen the opportunities that this creates for communities, for very young individuals, for our own kids and for everybody that really wants to use football as something that would help in their careers and getting better in life as a whole.”
He added, “We’re really excited because we want to reach out, we want to engage our customers in those regions and we want everybody to have a good time and to use football as a way of getting together, socializing and having a good time; and at the same time, helping the players to get some important playing time because at this level, playing time is very important to continue making progress in the right direction.”
Similarly, Ramprasad said, “We recently realised that most of what employees know about work is that you come to work, do the job, get paid and you go home and there’s no real culture beyond that in the workplace. We’ve recently introduced into our organization sport and recreation committees because we truly believe that the health and wellness of our employees encompasses what they do, how they take care of their bodies and how well their minds are prepared to handle challenges; this is where sport comes in.”
She further added, “Working together for a result that brings you glory and gratitude. It’s indeed an honorable thing that you are working with our country’s youth and the not so young to promote such a sport because there are so many things that people can do with their time that is not in their best interest. Sports gives you so many opportunities to relieve your stress and as well you can find talent that maybe one day, may be the next Neymar or Ronaldo, this is where it begins, at this level.”
Meanwhile, Forde said, “I am so pleased to hear the values of the company being brought to bear in a sporting activity. For us, football is more than a game, while we look at the global football product and we see an entertainment value that seems to be attracting more emphasis than any other value, in our corner of the world, football is a human development tool.”
He added, “More than 98% of the people that play the ball, whether through structured programmes or for recreational purposes will only play that aspect of football. It is the few that are most talented and gifted that we will adore and admire when they weave their talent on the big screen. So, much of what we do is to add values to the lives of the people that we bring into our football fraternity.”
Forde said, “I am very happy, I’m actually moved by the fact that MACORP sees the GFF in such good light and good stead. I want to give you my assurance and commitment on behalf of my executive committee and the staff that we would do everything in our power to deliver a competition worthy of the investment you are making. I look forward to a partnership that reciprocates value for both organizations.”
