The recently commissioned Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Covid-19 Task Force was scheduled to host its second virtual conference last evening to deliberate on several significant matters.
This was confirmed by the General Secretary, Ian Alves, who spoke to Stabroek Sport yesterday.
“The next meeting is scheduled for this evening (Tuesday). What is scheduled to be discussed includes our relationship with the National Covid-19 Task Force in terms of how and what we are approaching for application for approval,” said Alves.
“Also, the communication structure between the Task Force, the GFF Executive Committee and all stakeholders inclusive as to how we engage them, is to be discussed,” he added.
Alves also said that members of the committee were to be briefed on the ‘Bounceback’ plan and what it contains as they were not acquainted with it.
In the UEFA Bounceback programme, UEFA experts will connect with the GFF departments and staff via a series of video conference workshops over five weeks.
They will focus on a thorough situational analysis, building unity and togetherness within the football community.
They will also plan a course of action for the future and prepare for the delivery of the Federation’s 100-day “Bounceback” plan.
At the conclusion of the programme, the UEFA experts will continue to provide mentoring support to the GFF Heads of Department and staff on a needs basis
“Given that we had held prior discussions with UEFA that is to be discussed with the committee,” said Alves.
“We will also discuss and listen to any suggestion and recommendations that members might have on how or for the return to play which of course is subject to the approval of the National Covid-19 Task Force,” he added.
Alves conceded that while plans can be formulated following lengthy discourse, approval from the National Covid-19 Task Force is the ultimate requirement before any possible activity can come to fruition during this current climate.
“Plans will be determined by the National Task Force and first thing we have to do is to look at what is required in terms of returning to training for the clubs. The clubs would need to get their training programmes in place before we resume. We can’t simply take players out of activity and immediately place them into activity. Everything will be done with the approval of the National Covid-19 Task Force. We have advised the regional member associations and the elite clubs that will be discussed and that we will advise them after on the way forward.”
The GFF Covid-19 Task Force was created to craft protocols and oversee preparations for the safe resumption of football in the coming months. The committee was set up following a request to the National Covid-19 Task Force for the resumption of training and competitions as conditions and guidelines allow.
The 17 members of the Task Force are Chairman Wayne Forde, (GFF Medical Committee Rep.) Kojo Sandiford, General Secretary Ian Alves, (Clubs Rep.) Eton Moses, (GFF Head of Finance) Marco Meredith, (Events and Competition Organizer) Troy Mendonca, (Legal Rep.) Kalam Juman-Yasmin, GFF Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, (Women’s Football Rep.) Andrea Johnson, (Referees Rep.) Dion Inniss, (Players Association Rep.) Akel Clarke, (Regions Reps.) Otis James and Orin Ferrier, (Coaches Association Rep.) Dillion Roberts, (National Covid-19 Task Force Rep.) Loring Benons, (Corporate Guyana Rep.) Fitzroy McLeod and National Head Coach Marcio Maximo. A representative of the Ministry of Sport/Government of Guyana was not listed.
The committee, which hosted the first virtual meeting November 17th, will supervise all aspects of the GFF’s ‘Bounceback’ plan, inclusive of health and medical factors, legal matters, coordinating with the National Covid-19 Task Force and communication and collaboration with GFF members and all football stakeholders.
The ‘Bounceback’ programme is a UEFA initiative that the GFF, as part of its ongoing partnership with European football’s governing body, is utilizing in its efforts to resume football in a safe environment. Guyana is the second nation in the Concacaf jurisdiction to utilize the services of UEFA to plan for resumption of football.
