FIFA/GFF FUTSAL Course …
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ FIFA-organised FUTSAL Coaching course commenced yesterday with a simple opening ceremony at the Banks DIH Limited Sports Club, with GFF president Colin Klass urging the participants to spread the knowledge they will receive over the next four days. Klass was at the time delivering the opening address to the various coaches who came from all over Guyana, along with Marketing Director of Banks DIH Limited Carlton Joao, GFF’s Technical Development Officer (TDO) Lyndon France, General Secretary Noel Adonis and FIFA FUTSAL coaches facilitator Constantine  Konstin.
“The GFF is just an entity. You the coaches, our sponsors and the footballers both male and female, we can add life to the sport of football here in Guyana. Hence, what you are about to experience over the next four days would all be meaningless if you don’t impart it to someone else,” stated Klass.
Over 30 participants, including one female –  Grove Hi-Tech’s Candace McKenzie – were invited to the four-day course, where Konstin would be bringing them up to date with the new coaching developments in FUTSAL soccer.
He stated, “We have lots of grounds to cover when it comes to FUTSAL soccer, which can be compared to 20/20 cricket. This is the brand of soccer from which world-rated players, the calibre of Ronaldinho and Rubino, emerged, and while over 208 countries participate in 11-a-side football tournaments, not all do in FUTSAL hence it is important that we here in Guyana take the measure to improve the sport here locally.”
Klass, who is also the Chairman for FIFA’s FUTSAL and Beach Soccer committee, thanked the sponsors Banks DIH and FIFA for making the programme, the first international one of many on the GFF’s calendar for 2010, a reality.
“Thanks to Banks DIH for their continued confidence for football here in Guyana. Such motivation along with initiatives such as this can only enable us to strive for excellence, like the Lady Jaguars categorically speaking, who over the past week have shown us what it is to taste victory.
“Like the motto of the sponsors Banks DIH which says ‘Committed to Excellence’, we at the GFF must strive to do so and in closing, I wish to urge each and every one of you to make great use of this opportunity, go back to your clubs and impart the knowledge you would have learnt here to them, as on the other hand, you will be improving the game of FUTSAL soccer here in Guyana,” said Klass.
Klass also charged his audience which included president of Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) which is based in Florida, USA, Colin Baker, to have a balanced life, where they can appreciate what is happening both above and below them.
Prior to the GFF president’s opening remarks, Joao said that Banks DIH through its Coca Cola brand of products is pleased to be associated with such a prestigious event.
“As you are aware, Coca Cola is the official soft drink for the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup for a number of years and this will continue to be so in the many years ahead. We at Banks DIH Limited believe in the use of sport as a vehicle for discipline, hence we had no hesitation to be a part of this prestigious event.
“This is not the first, neither will it be the last time Banks DIH will be partnering with the GFF on events such as these, as we believe also that it is very important to hone the skills of our sportsmen and women, especially in this case, those who are participating in the sport of football, have the necessary tools to do so.”
In his brief remarks, Konstin who visited these shores two years ago on a similar project, told his audience they will be doing a brief recap before proceeding with the purpose of his visit, which is to enlighten them on the new developments of FUTSAL soccer.