GFF personnel participate in FIFA concussion-awareness workshop
Several persons representing the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) have recently participated in a workshop conducted by FIFA to address the issue of concussion.
Focused on the “Suspect and Protect” campaign, a global initiative launched by FIFA in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the workshop was instrumental in raising awareness about concussion risks and providing educational resources for all levels of football.
GFF medical personnel in action (File Photo)
Among the GFF personnel who attended this virtual workshop were physiotherapists Jana Edghill and Joshua Sargent; medical staff Drs. Sarah Benjamin, Nico Alstrom, Pablino Cupido and Carlyn Elliot, and Project Manager Orin Nelson.
The “Suspect and Protect” campaign highlights that concussion is a serious brain injury that requires immediate attention; and the workshop educated players, coaches, and medical staff on recognizing symptoms, which may take up to 72 hours to appear, and outlined proper steps for a safe return to play.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
FIFA has distributed toolkits to its 211 member associations, including the GFF, to ensure the campaign reaches all levels of the game; and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasised the importance of prioritising player safety by stating, “By knowing the signs of concussion, by being aware of the risks, and by treating a concussion correctly, you can help to put player safety first.”
Highlighting the significance of the initiative , WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has noted, “Concussion is a public health issue of concern at all levels of football and many other sports, requiring greater levels of awareness and action. That is why WHO is proud to team up with FIFA on the ‘Suspect and Protect’ campaign, to promote ways to protect the brains of footballers, young and old, around the world from the risks of concussion.”
The GFF has noted that it remains committed to FIFA’s player safety initiatives, and has said it would work to integrate the knowledge gained from the workshop into local football structures, in order to ensure concussion awareness and management are prioritized across all levels of the game in Guyana.
