..GFF boss puts life over ‘beautiful game’

By Rawle Toney

 DESPITE being eager to see the return of competitive football, Wayne Forde, president of the Guyana Football Federation, says they’re mindful of the adverse effects of COVID-19 in the country.

Competitive football in Guyana is currently at a halt since the advent of the Coronavirus in Guyana, with all on-field action suspended until further notice.

“At no one time do we (GFF) want to give the impression that playing football is more important than the public health of the citizens of this country of ours. So we will continue to work, continue to plan, but we must remain respectful to what is taking place and the efforts that others are making to bring this situation under control,” Forde told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview yesterday.

According to Forde, ever since the known cases of the coronavirus emerged in Guyana, the federation has been proactive in taking measures to guard against the spread, the foremost decision being the reduction of operations at the Secretariat to a minimal.

Forde said that while the fraternity is disappointed that no football is being played, stakeholders understand the need to exercise caution and adhere to the stipulated guidelines issued by health authorities.

Any decision on when it is safe for football to resume would be done in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Guyana is preparing for a hectic International season, as the Golden Jaguars, the country’s senior Men’s National football team, embark on qualification tournaments for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

Forde noted the importance of affording the local players, who are in contention for national duties selection, the best possible chance of showcasing their skills to the selection panel and head coach, Marcio Maximo.

However, Forde revealed that the GFF remains optimistic that there may be an opportunity for us to do something, but added that they will not be “overly ambitious about that; we’re just being optimistic.”

Meanwhile, it was mentioned that the GFF would’ve met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and his team, noting “we would’ve shared some ideas and listened to some coming from the Minister and his team. We are actively fine-tuning a plan that we are hoping, based on the commitment that the Minister made, that he will look at the plan and once it appears practical, (taking everything into consideration), then he will open up the dialog with the GFF and all the key stakeholders.”

The GFF Elite League, the country’s top football championship, has not seen any action since March of 2019.