Despite the surging local infection rate of the COVID-19 virus, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the local governing body, is scheduled to stage its Ordinary Congress on Saturday May 29.
This was disclosed by a source close to federation who spoke on the condition of anonymity. According to the source, the federation has informed its respective members of the intention to stage the congress, with the members expected to name its respective delegates a week prior to the staging of the forum.
The source elaborated, “The GFF Congress is slated for the last Saturday in May which is the 29th, the GFF has informed the members that it will be held and they have to submit the list of delegates who will attend a week before the actual congress. The final date for the submission of delegates who are expected to attend is May 21st. A maximum of two delegates will be allowed for every member.”
The source further divulged that the agenda for the meeting has not been confirmed or sent to the membership, adding, “They have not set or sent out any agenda at the moment. The members simply have been given a notice of congress. The venue for the Congress has also not been confirmed by the federation.”
Efforts to contact the General Secretary Ian Alves for a comment proved futile. Several calls to his cellular phone went unanswered up to press time. Similarly, attempts to solicit a comment from GFF Communications Officer Keeran Williams was unsuccessful. Calls to his cellular phone went unanswered.
The 2020 edition of the GFF Ordinary Congress, which was initially scheduled for May 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was staged on Saturday, December 12 at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. It was attended by Regional Associations, Affiliates, and Elite Clubs.
The establishment of a comprehensive financial assistance plan for its members, the launch in 2021 of a proposed professional league, and the implementation of a club charter to accelerate football development when the sport resumes after the pandemic were among the raft of initiatives announced by the GFF at the previous congress.
It was revealed at the forum that Regional Associations will receive $600,000 each year, Affiliates will be granted $500,000 and Elite League clubs can access $400,000 for approved costs and projects under a range of strict compliance and oversight measures. In addition, members will also receive 100 balls, 200 cones, 40 training hurdles and 100 bibs each year, along with four junior and four senior team kits every two years.
Under the GFF Club Charter Programme, which is a system designed to help clubs that are not yet ready to apply for Concacaf club licensing, clubs will receive additional equipment and technical support once criteria such as coaching standards and commitments to women and youth teams are met.
The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the GFF which brings all voting members together, including the nine regional associations, affiliate associations for referees, coaches, women’s football, futsal and beach soccer, and Elite League clubs.
