THE Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) 2013 season will open today with a double- header at the GCC ground, Bourda.

In the feature match, the West Demerara Association will face their Georgetown counterparts while East Demerara   Association will come up against Upper Demerara Association in the opening game.
Prior to the start of the opening game, all association affiliated to the GFF will participate in a march past of teams from 16:00hrs and this will be followed by prayers.
The welcome and opening remarks will be done by GFF’s president Christopher Matthias, while there will be remarks by Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green, Minister of Education Pria Manikchand, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.
There will also be a performance by the National School of Dance and musical interlude by the Guyana Police Force Band.
Presentation of awards for the 2012 season will be made to the respective individual winners, clubs and associations.
Matthias, who was recently appointed a member of football’s world governing body’s ( FIFA) Development Committee, had told members of the media that his Federation’s main emphasis this year will focus on players, clubs, referees and coaches development.
According to Matthias, this season will see competitions being staged in the under-15, under-17, under-20 and under-23 age groups  as well, while inter-association Futsol and Beach Football are aso on the cards.
According to Matthias, the GFF will organise  the first ever 32 teams Nation’s Cup as well as a new format Premier League that will see 16 teams vying for top honours.
Priority will be placed on the development of women’s football Matthias stated and informed that the GFF along with the National Association of Women’s Football will be sending a women’s under-17 team to compete in FIFA’s World Cup Qualifiers to be staged in the Dominican Republic from August 19 to 28.
A boy’s under-15 team is also expected to represent Guyana at an upcoming tournament in the Cayman Island, Matthias informed.