President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde (WF) described 2017 as ‘remarkable’ for his Executive Committee, telling Chronicle Sport’s Rawle Toney (RT) in a ‘Question and Answer’ interview, that they’ve been able to deliver on promises made during their campaign in 2015.

Forde also offered some insight into the GFF’s attempt to regularize the game and how their affiliates will benefit.

See full interview below.

RT: How would rate your executive committee’s year and what would you consider your biggest accomplishment for 2017.

WF: It has been yet another remarkable year for the Executive Committee; we are delivering on every campaign commitment and beyond. We made commitments to implement a NEW Intra-Association Football model for the four critical development age groups: U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-20. We have delivered the NAMILCO U-17 and the Frank Watson U-15. We will announce the U-13 & 20 early next year.

We have created a stable football environment which is evident by three successful congresses we have had over the past two years.

Perhaps the commencement of construction of the Providence National Training Centre is the most significant accomplishment for 2017, simply because of the level of doubt that had crept into the minds of our stakeholders and the general public.

We are quietly and rapidly making fundamental changes to the operations of football in Guyana by laying strong foundations and building structures for the future of the game.

RT: What does 2018 holds for youth football, both male and female?

WF: In 2018, we will be focusing on improving and expanding the Scotia Bank Academy Training Centre programme. With the U-13 and U-20 Intra-Association Leagues coming online, the demand will be greater on the technical staff. The 13 Academies are managed by 35 paid coaches delivering standard age-specific weekly sessions.

The Academy coaches will be busy preparing the players for a planned U-15 Boys South America tour scheduled for February and an U-19 Boys European tour scheduled for June/July. The U-15 and U-17 Girls will be very busy this year as well.

As it relates to the senior women, despite there being no official fixture announced thus far, we will most certainly be giving them some game time as plans are being made for a tri-Nation tournament in Guyana early this year.

RT: Regularising the game seems to be a point of focus for you, but since the announcement, some concerns were raised that the GFF wants to control the game, and some fear victimisation. Could you elaborate on this process and providing a level playing field for all?

WF: The GFF wants to bring order to football which is severely lacking at this time. We have developed a 2018 Competition calendar that seeks to streamline competitions. The Federation has to assign specific periods for specific competitions; this is common throughout the football world.

But more importantly, the Executive Committee has a constitutional mandate to control football in all its forms for an unlimited period within the jurisdiction of Guyana; Article 1:1.

The Federation and its members are the original owners of all rights emanating from football competitions and events within the jurisdiction of Guyana. Article 77:1.

The Executive Committee shall decide how and to what extent these rights are utilised and draw up special regulation to this end. Article 77:2.

The foregoing is a further illustration of our mandate and despite all of the empty talk about victimisation, the real issue seems to be the flagrant refusal to treat football with the respect it deserves.

My executive committee will not bend toward the will of anyone; we are here to represent the best interest of all stakeholder, i.e. members, sponsors and players, in a fair and transparent manner. These regulations that everyone seems to dread without the benefit of the details, will protect investments, secure time slots and improve standards of competitions.

We will continue to build partnerships that are characterized by mutual respect and respect for the rules and laws of the game. The game is bigger than everyone and must be respected by all despite the vicissitudes of the past.

RT: Street football, one of the most popular unconventional formats of the game, how does this fall into the regularisation scheme of the GFF?

WF: The GFF Constitution is patently clear on this matter. Perhaps the question that should be asked is; who benefits from an unregulated version of the game. Who will adjudicate conflicts that may arise during the game? Who trains and develop the officials? Who train the coaches that trains the players? Who will ensure that the period approved for a competition will not be trespassed on by a competing organiser of equal size and reach?

Who will ensure that the Federation and its member’s competitions do not overlap with unsanctioned competitions? Who will ensure that the safety of players, officials and fans are protected? Who will ensure that the games are not manipulated and/or fixed and if such occurs, who will impose the requisite sanction?

While there is a definite need for a change in attitudes toward the game and the Federation, I am both surprised and disappointed by the waste of energy this decision has provoked. I would encourage all stakeholders to relax and participate in the consultation that will take place before the regulations are drafted.

RT: A 3% levy fee is now mandated, as approved by Congress. How would this be ‘policed’ by the GFF, to determine if the gate or prize money is greater?

I wish to first and foremost highlight the following points: (1) The Executive Committee recognized that the 15% levy that was in place for the past 10 years was prohibitive and difficult to impose, given the current sponsorship landscape.

We took a decision to reduce that amount by 12% and lock it in for the next two years. (2) The GFF pays 3% levy to CONCACAF for international friendlies.

(3) The levy DOES NOT GO TO THE FEDERATION; it will be collected on behalf of the members and will be used to support football operations at the Association level and capacity building and administration programmes.

(4) The implementation of the Congress-approved levy will go to the regulation Committee where it will be drafted following an extensive consultation exercise, before it is presented to the Exco for approval.

The Committee will recommend what tournaments will attract a levy, when that levy should be paid and who MUST pay the levy.

RT: How much does the work at the GFF mirrors that to CONCACAF, given the fact that they too had made some structural changes to their operations, especially their club tournament?

WF: The GFF is generating ideas on how to grow and reform the game independently. However, from a policy and regulatory stand point, we are aligning our operations with FIFA and CONCACAF.

RT: Futsal and beach football have been two of the most inactive affiliates of the GFF; what is being done to see these associations reaching their mandate, and what is being done to properly put a structure in place for those two formats?

The 2018 football calendar has set out seasons for both beach and futsal. The GFF will be working much closer with these members to ensure that sponsorship and funding is provided for their competitions.

RT: Could you give an update on FIFA forward programme?

WF: Work is progressing well despite the inclement weather conditions. We have succeeded in our application to expand phase 1. The lighting has been upgraded to the CONCACAF tier 2 lighting standard; this will allow us to host major international games in Guyana.

We will also be renovating the existing building that is on the property to facilitate team encampment until the dorms are completed.

We will now be able to bring together our teams much more often and have longer periods of preparation, which is essential in our quest to become #1 within the Region.

This is a personal goal of mine that will be accomplished much sooner than most fans may wish to believe. Next year we will share with the public what phase 2 of the construction will entail.

I take this opportunity to wish our fans, sponsors, players, administrators and stakeholders a merry Christmas and a productive 2018. “We are here to serve football..!”

God Bless.