Representatives of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) member associations, affiliates and elite clubs on Sunday attended a Finance Governance Workshop which made clear the necessary compliance process for obtaining funding through the Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) in 2024.
The one-day session, held on March 3 at the Guyana Olympic House at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, also provided participants with an understanding of the FIFA Forward Programme.
At the workshop, facilitated by FIFA Consultant Lance Cummings and GFF Accountant Marco Meredith, discussions were focused on the criteria for securing funding, including completion of the club licensing process and the maintenance of current financial records, along with the GFF budgetary plans for 2024.
In brief remarks, GFF President Wayne Forde stressed that both member associations and clubs must adhere to compliance standards in order to access funding.
Representatives of the member associations, affiliates and elite clubs following the GFF’s Finance Governance Workshop
“The introduction of M-FAP is to aid clubs and associations in achieving their developmental goals, with the ultimate aim of nurturing widespread growth. Therefore, it is imperative that all levels adhere to compliance standards for the genuine professionalisation of football in Guyana,” Forde has said.
It was Forde, as GFF President, who introduced the groundbreaking M-FAP programme in 2020 with full endorsement of Congress. The initiative extends support to GFF members in four essential areas: administration & operations, equipment & material, competition and technical development, and infrastructure development.
The primary goal of FIFA Forward is to cultivate and enhance football on a global scale, ensuring that the sport can achieve its maximum potential in every country. This is accomplished through the provision of comprehensive, tailored funding and technical assistance to member associations and confederations.
FIFA Consultant Cummings noted that it is important for participants to share their ideas and opinions in “the Football Federation’s budgeting process. It’s not like the Federation is preparing a document to submit for approval to Congress, but it’s really getting Congress involved more at this level,” he explained.
GFF Accountant Meredith noted, “In the past three years, the GFF has distributed millions of dollars in equipment to associations and clubs, along with preparatory grants for the initiation of regional senior leagues throughout Guyana.”
Ten elite clubs are presently competing in the KFC Elite League, which commenced on February 25 at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara. The nine member associations are gearing up for the launch of their senior men’s league.
Among those who were present at the workshop were members of the Bartica Football Association, Berbice Football Association, East Coast Football Association, Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association, Georgetown Football Association, Upper Demerara Football Association, and the Women’s Football Association.
Representatives of Elite football clubs present were defending champions Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Fruta Conquerors, Den Amstel, Buxton United, and Santos.
