THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday hosted a one-day seminar to sensitize member associations about the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS).According to a release from the federation, this workshop which is the first of two to be conducted, was held in the Boardroom of the GFF and was facilitated by Ian Alves, Director of Competitions (Guyana Football Federation).
Alves pointed out that the key objectives of the session included introducing the FIFA TMS to participants (background, rationale and objectives),as well as demonstrating how to use the system via practical sessions.
He added that the expected result is “for clubs and associations to be better able to participate in and execute their transfer engagements.”
This first workshop catered for 11 participants from the eight elite clubs drawn from the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA),and had a total of eight attendees.
The second workshop will have participants from the remaining regional member associations and at least two of their top clubs.
The successful participants will be registered with the FIFA TMS which will allow them to have a user account. The system allows one user per Club and two users per Association.
The current transfer period will conclude on July 31 this year, and to facilitate this process, the release pointed out that the GFF has made available personnel to assist associations and clubs from June 1, 2016,to the conclusion of the transfer window; Monday – Friday from 15:00hrs – 16:00hrs and Saturday from 10:00hrs – 12noon respectively.
The GFF said that FIFA has implemented the International Transfer Matching System (ITMS) to ensure transparency and accountability in the international transfer of professional players among clubs / associations worldwide,and in order for a player to transfer cross-border to play professional football, the player’s new club and his previous club have to submit certain information and documentation into the ITMS.
Only when this information is complete and cross-checked for accuracy, will the ITMS generate an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which permits the transfer of the player’s registration from one country (member association) to another.
ITMS also supports first registration processes of minors (under 18’s) and international transfer processes involving a minor in accordance with FIFA Regulations.