With season six of the Elite League pencilled to commence on February 25th, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) conducted a club licencing workshop yesterday to discuss the requirements to access the vital certification for local and regional tournament participation.
This was disclosed in a correspondence from the federation. According to the release, the forum was attended by presidents or secretaries from the defending champion Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Western Tigers, Den Amstel, Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Ann’s Grove, Monedderlust, Slingerz, and Buxton United.
GFF General Secretary Ian Alves said, “The GFF wants to ensure operational uniformity among Elite Clubs to foster the growth of the league and advance player promotion. With established standards in place, clubs must ensure they are compliant as we continue to invest in professionalising the Elite League.”
He further said, “The clubs have been very receptive to the information shared. Fortunately, some of the clubs have been in the leagues for several years and have met the qualifications for licensing. We continue to work with them and have also extended our support to recently promoted clubs Slingerz and Monedderlust to ensure that all requirements are met.”
He added that the “target is that before we conclude the upcoming Elite League, all clubs will be in a position where they will be considered truly qualified for club licencing.”
Meanwhile, GFF 1st Vice President Brigadier General (Ret) Bruce Lovell said, “Your attendance is proof that you support the GFF’s broader strategy to professionalise football. Our football in Guyana will not progress until we have a greater level of professionalism, until we approach football in a very professional manner in a collaborative manner.”
He emphasised, “Club licencing is not merely a regulatory measure but a deliberate strategy to develop youth and female football. You have to have a youth program, and you have to have a female ram. Those are essential prerequisites for the club licencing regime.”
The event will be staged at the National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara, under the newly installed FIFA-approved floodlights.
