“Works will commence in no later than 7 days” – Forde

– GFF’s National Training Center closer to reality

By Michelangelo Jacobus

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially announced the start of Construction of the FIFA Forward Programme, which will be known as the National Training Center (NTC). The revelation came from GFF’s President, Wayne Forde who was speaking at a press conference at the GFF Secretariat in Campbellville, Georgetown on Tuesday morning.
“We are doing a site visit this afternoon [Tuesday afternoon]. With Greenfields there, we are going to look at the existent situation, a few ‘I’s need to be dotted and a few ‘T’s need to be crossed but it’s very likely that works will commence in no later than seven days” Forde stated.

While phase one of the project is focused on the construction of the surface and the goal-nets, the GFF is also pushing for the lighting system to be included at this stage. The reason for that is so the federation will have usable facility while the constructions of the other edifices are underway.
Forde used the forum shed some light on the process of awarding the contract to Greenfields; “we are all aware that FIFA would have gone through several changes within its developmental arm over the past couple of years and the new management at FIFA Development wanted to have a situation where a single contractor is responsible for the entire works associated with the construction of the artificial turf. Greenfields is the sole contractor for this phase of the work but their sub-contractor will be Nabi and Sons. We wanted to ensure we cleared the air on that because many of you would have covered the press conference where the signing of that contract between the GFF and Home Designs and Engineering Associates took place.”

Importance of National Training Center
The President underscored the importance of the National Training Center pointing out that the ultimate goal is to develop athletes and football in Guyana.
The facility will have added amenities as Forde intimated that it will include a gym, while the committee is considering a “cool down pool.” This is in addition to the construction of dorms which will accommodate lengthy encampments.
He continued; “Our projection is that it will take a little over two years before we have a completed facility. I can assure you that it will make a tremendous impact on how football is operated in Guyana. This is considered phase one and it is expected to be completed in the middle to end of January [2018].”

Cost
With respect to the total cost of the venture, Forde could not give a final figure as he noted that tweaks will be made to the plan as the project moves along; however, the GFF top man did disclose that the federation has access to US$750,000 annually from FIFA.

Future Endeavours
Plans are in the pipeline for more synthetic surfaces in other member associations of Guyana after the completion of the first one at Providence.
“Other members we are targeting would be Linden and then the third member we are looking at will be the Rupununi Football Association. And thereafter we will reevaluate the situation and prioritize the next three members in line” Forde explained.

Greenfields
Meanwhile, Greenfields representative Johannes Van Krimpen said that the surface will be built to the highest standards, as they must contain the quality and criteria mandated by FIFA.
The Dutch entity was officially selected by FIFA to build the then Goal Project following the conclusion of the International Tender Process.
Greenfields edged out fellow Netherlands firm Edel Grass after the bidding process was narrowed down to two companies. Founded in 2003, the company has installed more than 2500 pitches across the globe.
They have also received the FIFA Preferred Producer for Football Title as well as similar accolades from the International Hockey Federation and the International Rugby Board.