… Federation’s releases ‘ambitious’ 2021 football calendar

AFTER a hiatus of two years, Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League can see a return in March, if the local governing body of the ‘Beautiful Game’ gets the green light from the country’s National COVID-19 Task Force.
The GFF Elite League, the Federation’s flagship Men’s club competition, wrapped up in March, 2019, with Fruta Conquerors taking the title.
However, a series of questionable events, coupled with the advent of COVID-19 in the 2020, saw GFF being unable to host the ten-team tournament.
On Monday, GFF in a release, said they have proposed a comprehensive competition calendar for 2021.
Under the proposals, competitive matches could kick off as early as mid-January with an official GFF futsal tournament while full leagues and tournaments for men, women, boys and girls are provisionally scheduled to commence in March.

All competitions are contingent on a safe and secure playing environment and can only proceed with the approval of the authorities.
“Many countries around the world have resumed sports activities despite the ongoing pandemic, via spectator-free or partially-attended events with rigid health and safety measures such as social distancing, masks, squad bubbles and testing in place,” the Federation said.
According to GFF, careful planning for this year’s proposed competitions has formed a crucial part of the 100-day ‘Bounceback’ initiative under the UEFA Assist programme, in which football administration experts from European associations have supported the GFF team in its preparations for the responsible resumption of football.

Meanwhile, president Wayne Forde, as per release, noted that “following the huge success of the year-end tournament, where we were able to show that football can be staged safely once the correct measures are in place, we are now hoping to move to the next phase of ‘Bounceback’ as we progress towards the careful return of competitive football in Guyana.”
“However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still causing great suffering and disruption around the world, it is vital to emphasise that these competitions will only take place once the conditions allow and as the authorities feel it is safe. When we do move forward, we will ensure that all the necessary measures are in place to protect the wellbeing of our community,” Forde said.
GFF pointed out that its own COVID-19 Task Force will continue to oversee and implement the Federation’s ‘Bounceback’ strategy, with regional associations and private entities required to submit proposals for tournaments for review, to ensure appropriate health and safety protocols are in place.

At the end of December, GFF had partnered with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Kashif & Shanghai Organisation to host three matches which were played without fans and with strict health measures in place.
The Federation explained that the event was staged as a dry run for the return of football.
If all goes to plan, under GFF schedule, this year will feature seven months of sustained competitive football for senior men and women, with a similar duration for each layer of youth football, in line with FIFA guidelines for funding and optimal development.
“In order to give our home-grown talent the best chance to reach theit full potential, especially after the disruption of 2020, we will make every attempt possible with the support of the authorities to complete as much of this ambitious programme as we can,” said Forde. “If any competitions cannot be completed as scheduled for any reason, we will find new dates when conditions allow.”