YESTERDAY the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) went one-on-one with the media and while everything could not be discussed in detail, they mentioned the main reason why their final home game in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers was relocated to Texas, USA.

The briefing was attended by acting President of the GFF, Franklin Wilson, who was accompanied by his General Secretary Noel Adonis, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz and Organising Secretary Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.
Wilson opened his remarks by saying, “Yes! We have requested and FIFA, CONCACAF and the United States Soccer Federation have agreed for the Guyana versus Mexico game to be played in the USA.
“We have informed the Government. We have informed the Guyana Olympic Association executives. We have informed our sponsor of this relocation; and now we are informing members of the public.”
The game to be played on October 12 (next Friday) was shifted from the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, to the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas and will kick off at 20:00hrs
According to Wilson, there are quite a number of reasons why the GFF could not host the game. Had the GFF taken on responsibility to host the Guyana versus Mexico encounter there was a high chance that the game might not have taken place and this is because of the financial strain the organisation is under.
“While the GFF would have liked to have had Mexico play here, without going into details, the current circumstances do no accommodate that to happen,” the GFF boss stated.
Wilson said the progress of the Golden Jaguars team did not come easy neither was petty cash spent.
Thus far a figure of G$130M was spent and the federation is still in debt. So this move to have the game played in a neutral territory will bring in some earnings for the GFF so that they can begin wiping of some of the debts.
“Guyana has successfully hosted two of the three home games against Costa Rica and El Salvador and would wish to thank all those who came out and supported us,” he added.
“We are aware that many of our local diehard fans would have been looking forward to seeing the game here and the Mexican stars but this was unavoidable in the circumstances,” Wilson said.
However, the game will be broadcast live in Guyana and United States so the Guyanese supporters can still get to watch their team in action.
The promoters in the USA have done their research and Houston, Texas lies close to Mexico and also has a great Guyanese contingent so the game is expected to be well supported.