Construction of more artificial pitches is among the GFF’s plans
The Guyana Football Federation on July 07 signed a Contract of Agreed Objectives (CAO) with FIFA that envisions the further expansion of the National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence and the construction of four artificial pitches in selected Regional Associations over the period 2023-2026.
FIFA, as part of its global football development endeavour, has implemented the Forward Programme that provides financial and non-financial support to its Member Associations upon agreeing to enter into a CAO with FIFA. Within the 2023-2026 cycle that the GFF has entered, the expansion of the NTC should see the provision of several football-related amenities, such as the installation of floodlights, seating, dorms, and the improvement of playing surfaces.
Additionally, four artificial pitches will be constructed, the locations of two having already been identified by the GFF. The first will be the Vryman’s Erven ground in New Amsterdam, which is located in the jurisdiction of the Berbice Football Association, and the second will be constructed at the Ann’s Grove Community ground, within the jurisdiction of the East Coast Football Association.
Selection of these two grounds has been possible because the GFF has already constructed football facilities of dressing rooms and washrooms at the two locations back in 2020. Significantly, the GFF has entered into a 30-year lease agreement for use of the Vryman’s Erven ground, and soon expects to enter into a similar user agreement with the Ann’s Grove Community ground, in order to comply with Forward Regulations.
The GFF Council will soon be engaging its remaining 7 Regional Associations to identify two additional venues to host artificial pitches.
The long-term strategic goal of the GFF Council is to outfit each Regional Association with an all-weather regulation size artificial pitch. The GFF intends to collaborate with other stakeholders to outfit each pitch with bleacher stands, floodlights, washrooms, and dressing room facilities.
When constructed, these venues will host the administrative offices of the Regional Associations, host the GFF Academy Training Centre Programmes (ATC), and will be the premiere venues for competitions organised by the Regional Associations.
A sequence of steps will be required to initiate the process for constructing the pitches, and these include visits by FIFA experts to define the scope of work and formulate recommendations. Critical to the process will be the acquisition of leases or user agreements for the identified pitches. The GFF is working closely with the FIFA regional office, and expects to complete its application process in due course.
