The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) signed a Contract of Agreed Objectives (CAO) with FIFA on July 7th that paves the way for the expansion of the National Training Centre at Providence as well as the construction of four artificial turfs in designated Regional Associations during the 2023-2026 period.
This was disclosed by a release from the GFF. According to the release, the CAO, which falls under the umbrella of the Forward Programme, will provide for the expansion of the Providence facility with several related amenities such as seating, dormitories, lighting and the improvement of the playing surface within the aforesaid window.
The release added that four artificial playing surfaces will also be constructed, with the Vryman’s Erven ground in New Amsterdam, which falls under the umbrella of the Berbice Association, and the East Coast Demerara Association venue of the Ann’s Grove ground already identified.
“Selection of these two grounds was possible because the GFF has already constructed football facilities of dressing rooms and washrooms at the two locations back in 2020. Significantly too, the GFF has entered into a 30-year lease agreement for use of the Vryman’s Erven ground and soon expects to enter into a similar user agreement with the Ann’s Grove Community ground in order to comply with Forward Regulations,” the release stated.
The correspondence noted that the GFF Council will engage the remaining seven regional member associations to identify the other two additional venues for the construction of the surfaces, noting that the overarching objective of the executive committee is the installation of all-weather artificial pitches in each jurisdiction.
According to the release, the GFF aims to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders in the process of outfitting each pitch with the requisite bleachers, lighting systems, washrooms, and dressing facilities, noting that the construction of these venues will allow for the associations to host their respective administrative office, Academy Training Centre, and regional competitions.
“A sequence of steps will be required to initiate the process for constructing the pitches and these include visits by FIFA experts to define the scope of work and formulate recommendations. Critical to the process will be the acquisition of leases or user agreements for the identified pitches. The GFF is working closely with the FIFA regional office and expects to complete its application process in due course,” the release stated.
