• GFF hopes to fully complete by 2027

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, said that they expect work to commence shortly on the next phase of the National Training Centre at Providence.

The facility is home to the lone all-weather surface for football in Guyana.

According to Forde, “The National Training Centre — we will be making some announcements very soon about the next phase of work. We’ve just finished the tender process and there are some negotiations taking place as to how much funds will go towards the first phase but very soon, construction activity will start there. I see us getting into those activities probably sometime late 2026 into 2027. It could be sooner based on the MoU and the energy or the commitment or the urgency of all the parties that the MoU brings to the table.”

World football governing body, FIFA, this year, approved the upgrades of the facility, advising the local body to work in partnership with the government.

‘We recently submitted a draft MoU to the government of Guyana because FIFA has asked us to do this in partnership and collaboration with the government. We are very optimistic that we will sign that at some point of time where the roles and responsibilities of FIFA, GFF and Government will be clearly identified.”

The next phase will focus on essential infrastructural elements needed to host international matches.

Some key development include building of spectator stands on the western and southern sides of the pitch, modernised washroom facilities, a new service road encircling the pitch and upgraded areas for vending and concessionary services.