FIFA, the world’s governing body for football is to fund the installation of floodlights at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre at Providence at the East Bank of Demerara.
The US$1.1m floodlight installation project is being funded through the FIFA FORWARD programme, which was launched back in 2016 by the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino during his visit to Guyana. The project will be undertaken by United States-based company Musco Sport Lighting between May and October of 2023 following a transparent and complete tender process, the GFF has confirmed.
The lighting specialist company, who has completed similar projects in Guyana, was the successful bidder in the FIFA centralized international procurement process.
They will engineer, manufacture and install a four-pole energy efficient floodlighting structure, designed to produce the appropriate lighting quality and standards for international matches and withstand a wind speed of 85 mph.
GFF President Wayne Forde said it is a significant step forward in the advancement of football infrastructure standards in Guyana.
“This is truly a watershed moment for the development of football in Guyana and a tremendous source of pride for our entire fraternity and the nation. We have already experienced huge benefits of having the first home of football – our National Training Centre (NTC), which is evidenced by the outstanding performances of our male and female national teams,” Forde said.
The floodlights will make it possible for the GFF to stage and televise international matches for all national teams, extend the training hours of the Golden Jaguars and Lady Jags, and host and televise night matches for the upcoming Elite League, Women’s Development League and Regional Association Leagues on the FIFA+ digital platform. “Through the Forward Programme, FIFA initiated in 2016 a new era of global football development.
The FIFA Forward Programme is intended to provide tailor-made support for the growth of football in each of our member associations based on three pillars: more investment, more impact and more oversight. The aim is to make football truly global, by providing an opportunity to every player, coach and referee to develop and excel on the pitch.”, emphasised the FIFA Director of Member Associations Americas, Jair Bertoni.
Forde in expressing gratitude to FIFA and the Government of Guyana for supporting the Federation’s football vision, said: “I would like to thank the FIFA Member Association Division for supporting us throughout the bidding process and the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport for providing the much-needed Tax Waivers for the importation of the lighting system. I look forward to inviting all our stakeholders to the official commissioning of the floodlights and a memorable night of exciting football.”
The GFF National Training Centre is Guyana’s first exclusive football facility is funded through the FIFA Forward Programme. The facility has an all-weather regulation size artificial grass pitch, dorms for youth teams, along with other facilities, and is classified as the official home of football in Guyana.
