THE prime objective of the Goal Programme, launched in 1999 by FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter, was to provide FIFA’s member associations with the infrastructure that would enable them to develop independently, offering US$500 000 for each phase.Guyana was one of the first countries identified to be the beneficiaries of FIFA’s development project and 15 years later, even after a visit by Blatter, Guyana is yet to see the realisation of what the World Body is calling a ‘must have’, if any member association is serious about the sport in their respective countries.
“For too long now the children and football-loving people of Guyana have been robbed of this infrastructure development,” said FIFA’s Development Officer Howard McIntosh, who added “I would easily say, and again I’m using example of other countries in the region who are on their third goal project right now, and Guyana has not gone past one yet.
“Nothing has changed in terms of FIFA’s commitment to the Goal Project. We are concerned at the pace, we’ll love to see things moving along because our interest is that we do get the facilities up and running.”
McIntosh was addressing the Media at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Georgetown Head Office after wrapping up a one day visit to primarily deal specifically with the Goal Project.
The FIFA official along with the president of the GFF Christopher Matthias and other designated officials of the local Federation met with Minister of Sport Frank Anthony, who had offered a plot of land at Leonora which is to be used as the home of the proposed Goal Project.
This is McIntosh’s second visit in the space of four months, dating back to September 2013, but the Jamaican said that he’s certainly not looking forward for another visit, laced with speeches of what should’ve been happening as compared to what is actually happening in relation to the Goal Project.
“Personally for me, it’s frustrating because it’s not only in Guyana I have to have these discussions. The commitment is there and the funds are available, so we have to now put our shoulders to the wheel and get the job done and now it comes down to execution and the territories and the Federations must get the job done.
“I know there have been issues, but there’s only so much FIFA can do in terms of getting the project off the ground,” McIntosh said.
The GFF and the Government of Guyana are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Matthias pointed out that after meeting with Minister Anthony, the request was made by both parties to make some adjustments to the document which will see the Guyana Government play a major role in making a 15-year dream of the GFF become a reality.
The delay, according to McIntosh, in putting the infrastructure on the ground only hurts the sport, as he encouraged expediting the erection and construction of the facilities, adding “what we got today was a renewed commitment from the Government and the GFF in relation to moving things along.
There’s an MOU that exists between the Government and the GFF that needs to be completed. There was a discussion in relation to itemising a phased development plan which is part of what is to be done and the creation of a specific task force.”
McIntosh opined that the media needs to play a role in ensuring the Government and the GFF take full advantage of the opportunity at improving the infrastructure of football in the country.
“Who are really suffering? It’s the people who play football, not the administrators … who’s to be blamed? That’s what I don’t get into; what happens now is that we will start looking at countries who are not participating in the programme, and have to develop a different strategy to ensure that the people who need to benefit, actually benefit,” McIntosh said.
The FIFA Developmental Officer, however, mentioned that generally, Caribbean territories “have not done a good job in terms of the managing of these projects, unfortunately. They are not many sporting organisations that would say we are going to facilitate the development of your infrastructure and so part of this now is to try and see things get done and moving very quickly”
Meanwhile, McIntosh was adamant that it’s important on the part of FIFA that the GFF “receive a lease on the Goal Project and that is something that the Government will have to work on and facilitate. The Minister did indicate that he wanted a couple of things happen so that he can work on that. We have a motto in FIFA and it’s very simple; it’s whatever you do, FIFA does. It’s as simple and straightforward as that.”
Written By Rawle Toney