Historic! Barima-Waini Football Association IMC commissioned

History was created on Saturday last at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground when the members of the Barima-Waini Football Association (BWFA) Interim Management Committee received their letters of appointment by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
This is the first phase of streamlining and organising football in Region One with the Committee being elected to chart the way forward with the ultimate aim of becoming the 10th Regional Association affiliated with the GFF.
The nine affiliated RAs are Rupununi, Upper Demerara, Bartica, Essequibo, East Bank, West Demerara, East Demerara, Berbice, and Georgetown.
The members of the BWFA met among themselves some time ago virtually to elect the members to serve on the IMC. This was after several meetings were held with GFF Members Services Officer, Franklin Wilson, who helped to guide the process.
The members were guided through the constitution of the Federation which would guide how they function on a day-to-day basis inclusive of organising age group competitions; clubs having meetings and reporting to the BWFA and the Association, similarly, reporting to the Federation.
BWFA-IMC Chairman Knester Castello, in commenting on the significant moment after receiving his letter from Wilson, expressed a sense of satisfaction given the fact that they have been knocking on the door for quite some time now.
“This is a huge achievement for us as a region, the level of commitment shown by President [Wayne] Forde and the GFF is great for the game and for us as a new body. We know that the work will not be easy, but as a body, we are committed to work towards our Association becoming the next GFF full member.”
Castello, himself a former player, said that their region was blessed with loads of talented players including Annalisa Vincent, who hails from one of the three sub-regions, Moruca. The other two sub-regions are Martarkai and Mabaruma.
“We are aware of the talent available here that will bolster any of our national teams. We are committed to allowing our youths the opportunities to take their career to the next level and even procure scholarships with the support of the GFF,” Castello said.
President Forde, in commending the members of the BWFA-IMC, said that the Federation was committed to seeing the growth and development of the sport in Region One, on and off the field of play.
Forde posited that his and the GFF’s vision was to ensure that the hinterland regions were afforded impartial access to structured football programmes and its developmental resources.
Gratitude was extended to the Regional Chairman, Mayor, and other officers who have contributed to this historic process.
The full BWFA-IMC reads: Knester Castello (Chairman); Renatto Srikumar (First VC); Ormelindie Gildarie (Second VC); Monique Emmanuel (Secretary); Ingrid Harris-Chappelle (treasurer) and Celestine Maria Chacon (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer). The Committee Members are Sherlon Rodrigues, Ralph Williams, Terrance Ash, Carlos Henry, and Kimste Castello.
Meanwhile, the BWFA-IMC is expected to, among other things, deliver on the following:
Be in full compliance with all that is required to ensure a successful and satisfying period of management which can ultimately lead to the request for full membership being accepted;
ensure clubs are properly registered, adapt their constitutions, hold regular meetings, submit reports of those meetings to the BWFA; and participate in competitions at both the male and female levels; identify individuals who would receive training as Match Coordinators, Referees, and Coaches, and report monthly to the GFF on the progress of on- and off-field activities inclusive of ROFA Committee meetings.