The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) spent GY$73,139,948 on travel for the recently concluded CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) which included the qualifying campaign in 2018/2019, and the Brazil Training Camp in 2018.
This is according to documents seen by this publication. According to the documents, the federation spent GY$47,231,261 on travelling expenses in 2018. The aforesaid amount accounted for the Brazil Training Camp, the September CNL match against Barbados, the October CNL fixture against Turks and Caicos, and the November CNL encounter against French Guiana.
The Brazil Training Camp accounted for GY$13,300,427, while the Barbados match, despite being hosted in Guyana, accounted for GY$9,297,478. Similarly, the Turks & Caicos encounter amounted to GY$9,593,086, while the French Guiana showdown amounted to GY$15,040,270.
Essentially, three of the four items which actually required the Golden Jaguars to depart local shores, accounted for GY$37,933,783.
According to GFF General Secretary Ian Alves, “The 2019 CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers required the Guyana Golden Jaguars to play six international matches in three months. This unprecedented schedule imposed an enormous amount of pressure on the GFF finances, with travel alone accounting for more than $30 million.”
He further said, “The total cost of the campaign exceeded 60 million Guyana dollars. The GFF has since applied to FIFA for funding that will be used to clear all outstanding expenses. The welcomed level of international competition for Guyana’s national teams has more than tripled over the past three years. The GFF therefore appreciates the patience and understanding of our players, official and suppliers even as we consolidate regarding the situation.”
Meanwhile, in 2019, the GFF accumulated a travel bill of GY$25,908,687. The aforesaid figure accounted for seven matches, four of which were hosted at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
The Belize clash in March in the CNL Qualifiers accounted for GY$3,406,466, while the Aruba CNL fixture in Curacao and the Jamaica CNL encounter locally, both of which were held in September, accounted for GY$9,455,540.
Additionally, the October home and away CNL matches against Antigua and Barbuda accounted for GY$7,178,207, while the November CNL matches against Aruba [hosted] and Jamaica accounted for GY$5,868,474.
The travelling expenses for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June 2019 were not disclosed by the GFF.
