…in meeting with GFF boss

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali yesterday met with president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, where assurances were made of his Government’s continued support for the development of football in Guyana.

According to a release from the Office of the President, Dr. Ali and Forde also discussed the Federation’s needs regarding the Golden Jaguars’ participation in the ongoing Nations League campaign, as well as general football matters, including infrastructure to support the sport.

During the meeting, which was held at State House, Forde also spoke about greater support for the development of youth football.

As it relates to infrastructural development, Forde told President Ali of the immediate upgrades that are needed at the National Track and Field Centre.

The Golden Jaguars, since the inception of the venue in 2015, have been using the Leonora facility as its home base for International matches in FIFA and CONCACAF competitions.

The venue has been placed under the microscope by FIFA recently, where its state and the quality of its lights saw Guyana only playing in the afternoon during the CONCACAF Nations League.
As it stands, the football pitch at the National Track and Field Centre is the only facility that can accommodate football matches in the West Demerara region.

Meanwhile, Forde said he and President Ali discussed the hosting of a President’s Cup Football tournament during their meeting.

The GFF President said a commitment was made to President Ali “to get together with a technical team to create a format, and launch the tournament sometime this year”.