“Because of the limited opportunities that existed in the past for players to exit Guyana, the folks that would’ve approached players, always approach them with this notion that they’re doing them a favour,” said GFF president Wayne Forde during an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport. He was sharing plans by his body to establish mechanisms to protect the interest of players as Guyana opens its doors to international scouts.
Senior National defender Walter Moore and his FF Jaro coach Kristian Heames, recently conducted a three-day scouting clinic with the National Under-17 team players, in an effort to see who could fit into a programme at one of Europe’s top club.
“Most of the players were led to believe that they can sign quickly on a piece of paper and then all of a sudden they’re an international footballer, without taking the time to get the necessary people to vet those contract and to ensure they’re getting a good deal,” Forde highlighted.
He added, “So FIFA itself has taken many initiatives to protect players because that’s a serious challenge for countries, particularly Africa with a wealth of talent, and coming into Europe, if they don’t make the cut, they’re ending up on the streets, sleeping under bridges.”
Forde believes as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is embarking on several new programmes which will involve their national players, both present and past, being directly involved in the country’s youth system, the doors could open for a number of talent-spotting.
“The fact that we are now developing programmes that will make these opportunities very common to players who can perform to that level, it simply means that we’ll have to build regulatory infrastructure around it, of course with the guidance of FIFA and CONCACAF; to ensure that no amateur player signs a professional contract, without the right level of representation,” Forde pointed out.
The GFF boss reasoned, “For starters, education is what is required. We need to be talking to our players and within the academy structure. That’s where information will be given to our players. We will let those players understand that their interest will be best represented with the GFF involved, and (we will) ensure that the people with the right credentials are looking after their business. We’ll have a carefully structured exit channel.”