THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) launched its Grassroots Festival last Thursday at Umana Yana in Georgetown. The initiative is to nurture and develop young players ranging from ages 5 to 17 and will involve all nine associations that are affiliated to the GFF.
Meanwhile, president of the Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Football Association (ECPFA) Ms Maxine Stewart disclosed to Chronicle Sport that her association will commence the programme this Saturday at the Queenstown Community ground.

She further stated that the players will be chosen from the various clubs along the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon as they will undergo the basic training and appreciate the love for the game.
Following the exercise, the outstanding Under-13, U-15 and U-17 players will be selected to be placed into the Association’s Academy which will form part of the ECPFA calendar of activities for 2017.
The two contracted coaches attached to the association, Travis Bowen and Ranzolin Durga will conduct the sessions commencing at 09:00hrs.

Officials from GFF and ECPFA are expected to grace the exercise. This is the second such programme for young footballers from the Region after the first was held in January.
According to Ms Stewart the plan is to spread the gospel of football to every village, especially within the remote areas including Wakapoa, which is an Amerindian village.

(Elroy Stephney)