GFF pays its respects at funeral of Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey

A Guyana Football Federation (GFF) delegation led by President Wayne Forde paid its last respects to former national player and Berbice football legend Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey at his funeral in New Amsterdam on Thursday, March 11.
Humphrey, who sadly passed away two weeks ago at age 65, represented Guyana during the 1970s; played for several clubs, such as Cougars and Caribs; and ran the Teach Them Young football camp for more than two decades.
“It was a great privilege to attend Grizzly’s funeral this week, to honour his memory with his friends, family and community, and to pay our respects on behalf of the football fraternity,” GFF President Forde said.

“It was a deeply moving experience as we celebrated the life of a loving father, son and brother; a great servant to football, and a hugely popular man. We came away from the ceremony motivated and inspired by Grizzly’s life to continue to develop the game that he loved so dearly. RIP, Grizzly,” he said.
During its visit, the delegation took opportunity to inspect infrastructure works ongoing at football facilities in New Amsterdam and at Ann’s Grove, ECD, where the GFF is investing heavily to improve the quality and standard of grounds, in order to spur the development of football and enhance access for all.
The GFF kickstarted major football facilities’ upgrades last month under the FIFA Forward and One Concacaf programmes, and those upgrades include construction of changing rooms suitable for both male and female players and officials at Ann’s Grove Community Ground and the Vryman’s Erven Ground in New Amsterdam. These upgrades are scheduled for completion in June.
As part of compliance requirements for the projects, the GFF must monitor contractor activities onsite, and strive to ensure the timely, cost-effective and quality delivery of any works.
President Forde also held constructive meetings with Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, and Town Council officials, as well as Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud, who pledged to support ground development in New Amsterdam.
“We are very satisfied with the works at both facilities so far,” Forde has said. “They are going to make a big difference for football in both areas and, importantly, open up access to more female players and officials.
“The GFF is committed to ensuring that FIFA and Concacaf funds are put to the best use possible for the development of football in Guyana in a clear and transparent way.
“A significant strategic focus for us, the Executive Committee, is to upgrade football facilities around the country so that they are fit for purpose and so that more people can participate in the sport.
“Our meetings with New Amsterdam and regional representatives were extremely positive, and we look forward to working closely with officials in Berbice to improve conditions for football and develop young talent in the region.”
The GFF has a 30-year lease for the Vryman’s Erven ground, which will become a “home of football” for the Berbice region. The GFF’s ongoing infrastructure blitz also includes works to complete the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, EBD; upgrades to GFF headquarters in Georgetown, and the installation of a perimeter fence at a playfield in the BB Eccles Housing Scheme.