Sports events can contribute to vaccination numbers

After taking in the successes of the Federation’s ‘Vaccinated only’ tournaments, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde is firm in his belief that sport can positively contribute to Guyana’s vaccination numbers.
In the 2021-2022 year-end football season, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) managed to pull off three tournaments with the inclusion of spectators, namely: the Men’s Super-16, Women’s Super-16, and a futsal competition.

The catch, however, was that players, officials and fans all had to be vaccinated to attend. Even with this mandate in place, hundreds of patrons turned out to the events. This, Wayne Forde believes, augurs well for the country’s vaccination campaign.
“As you may recall, we wanted to do a ‘regional’ qualifier before we got to the 16 teams, but there was so much hesitancy within the clubs and the players that we had to abandon that. And even then, we became worried,” the GFF President shared, revealing initial fears that their plans would not be well accepted.
However, he went on to share, “We’re going to be putting out the figures of how many players and officials got vaccinated just to be a part of this tournament, and I want to believe that many fans also did the same. So, I’ve always felt that organising football and giving the fans and the players the expectation that they’re going to be able to engage the sport would contribute positively to vaccination. And I believe the evidence bears me out with that,” he said.
“I’m very happy with the support we got from the Ministry of Health. They obviously helped with setting up vaccination sites,” Forde said.
Still on the topic of COVID-19 and the sport, Forde highlighted that it is important to find ways to conduct the sport, since the pandemic does not seem to be letting up.
“From all indications, COVID is going to be with us for a very long time. How it will continue to impact activities and daily lives is anyone’s guess. So, I think the world is gradually coming around that they’re going to have to continue and move on with life in a COVID environment,” Forde told this publication.
He added, “So, I believe that we understand a little bit more about what is required from us. We’ve always been consistent in terms of respecting the protocols and the guidelines and the advice of the Health authorities. And I think once we maintain a solid footing on those principles, I think we’re going to be all right.”
Forde is positing that sport is needed to bring some relief during these times.
“I don’t think there’s an option for us to retreat in a cave and hide away from COVID. I think we have to find ways and means to cope with the pandemic and still carry on with our lives,” the GFF boss firmly opined.
“Young men and women need to play sports. It has been part of our existence for centuries, so I don’t see any way we can bring that to a complete halt,” he concluded.