The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will host its Ordinary Congress on Saturday and a fundraising dinner on Sunday.
The Congress, scheduled for 11:00hrs on Saturday, 28th May, 2016 at the Herdsmanston Lodge, Queenstown is the first for the new Executive and is in keeping with Article 28 of the Constitution of the GFF. It will include a presentation by legendary broadcaster and sports commentator/administrator Mr. Joseph “Reds” Perreira A.A. who is also being hosted by the GFF as the Guest of Honour at its Fundraising Dinner on Sunday, 29th May, 2016.
According to the President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, he is looking forward to the Congress and is encouraged by the current atmosphere heading into the Congress. “Over the past six months I have experienced a very warm and reconciliatory tone and embrace from the membership and I think they will be interested in what we have to say to them. I think they will be keen on every aspect of football development that we will present; I believe it will be a fine example of what a GFF Congress ought to be.”
Legendary broadcaster and sports commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira
He said among the objectives of the Congress is the need to foster cohesion for the benefit of football. “There is a need for us to recognize that the kind of infighting that has really stymied our growth over the years needs to come to an end. We need to find a way to truly embrace each other and trust each other as we need to recognize that, on our own, there is very little which can accomplish.”
Among the key agenda items, according to the President, is the presentation of the GFF strategic document, which goes by the acronym “PEAK” – Performance, Empowerment, Accountability and Knowledge which captures the “four key pillars of the developmental goals for the thrust local football.”
Following the Congress, on Sunday, 29th May, 2016, will be a fundraising dinner dubbed, “An Evening with Reds Perreira” scheduled for Gravity Lounge at 20:00hrs. This event is aimed at raising funds to advance the development agenda of the Federation. The Guest of Honour will be former Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and football coach Joseph “Reds’
Perreira, born in British Guiana, “Reds” Perreira’s life began in humble beginnings in the Pomeroon. While he has achieved much of his fame from his distinguished role as a cricket commentator role, amidst this sports enthusiast’s vast and rich experience was his involvement in his “first love,” football.
“Reds” Perreira made his debut at the first division level at age 16 when he was the Goalkeeper of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC). The man who has been described as a “walking sports encyclopedia” advanced his football career to the position of Coach of the Santos Football Club.
He later became a coach of National Under-23 Side in the 1960s. His life was one characterized by outstanding moments and immense challenges, the latter which propelled him to even greater accomplishments. His autobiography “Living My Dreams” chronicles his life including his role as a sports administrator where he served in various capacities including President of the St.Lucia Boxing Association and Sports Director of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
