MEMBER associations of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) have up to tomorrow to submit proposals regarding the spending of Federation International Football Association’s (FIFA) bonus which is expected to come on stream very soon.

The GFF is expected to receive US$750 000 by January 2015 as a bonus from the just concluded FIFA World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, GFF president Christopher Matthias said the eight affiliates of the GFF met last Thursday and discussed the way forward for local football as well as the disbursement of funds from the FIFA bonus for each association.

According to Matthias, each association – Upper Demerara Football Association, Georgetown Football Association, Berbice Football Association, West Demerara Football Association, East Bank Football Association, Bartica Football Association, Essequibo Football Association and East Demerara Football Association – was asked to submit by tomorrow its proposals regarding funding.
Matthias said while the GFF has not received any submission to date, he is hopeful that all submissions will be received by the due date (tomorrow).
Matthias is of the view that each of the eight associations should own a minibus so as to transport their players to various venues for GFF-organised matches as well as other competitions, organised by member associations.
He said the associations can also use the bus as a money-earner whereby they can transport commuters on a daily basis in order to earn revenue which will go towards maintaining the vehicles.
Matthias said each association should have competition uniforms, every club player should have his own football, each association should have a valid bank account and all associations should have at least one spectator stand.
The GFF head man said he is expecting the remainder of the US$750 000 by January next year and it will be divided among its affiliates.
Matthias, who was elected to the post of GFF president last year, also wants to ensure each club, the players and other stakeholders, including spectators, benefit from the FIFA bonus.
Matthias wants each national team to have the right technical and tactical development programme for the game and adequate equipment also.
Asked about the proposed 10-acre training venue for national teams at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, behind the synthetic track, Matthias said he is still to receive word on that project from Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony.
Matthias noted FIFA has stated that the GFF cannot be incorporated and is not in agreement for the land to be leased in parts.

(By Michael DaSilva)