President of GFF optimistic of chances

Feb 03, 2010 Sports

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Colin Klass is optimistic that Guyanese women footballers would do well in the upcoming qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup football tournament, scheduled to get underway at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground from March 4 – 7 next.

Already, the countries have been grouped and Guyana, placed in Group A, would oppose Suriname in their first match scheduled for March 3.

President of the GFF, Colin Klass (left) at the press conference with President of the Women’s Football Federation, Vanessa Dickenson, Second Vice President, Franklin Wilson and UK-based supporter, Peter Barry.

The team, comprising local and foreign players would assemble here by February 27, one week subsequent to the kick off. The two other countries that comprise Group A are Cuba and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mr. Klass hosted a press conference at the GFF Section ‘K’ Campbellville headquarters to brief media operatives on developments pertaining to the tournament and other relevant football issues. He said that while most of the matches would be played at the Bourda facility the organizers are eying the Blairmont Community Centre ground for at least one of the fixtures.

He complimented the high standard of football played by the females while pointing out that players in this department stand a very good chance at excelling in the sport. He said that their chances would be further enhanced through the technical support that would be rendered by his executives. “Our girls have had a lot of international exposure. We now have to concentrate on their fitness,” said Mr. Klass.

Touching on the monetary criteria to host the tournament the GFF President intimated that the organizers would be petitioning the corporate community to get on board. He explained that the ruling football body, FIFA had offset the budget costs by some 15%. “We had utilized double of that sum to offset the costs of our programmes during last year so there is not much left to facilitate our current expenses,” Klass disclosed.

He also pointed out that administrators will still have to finance the local programmes from monies remaining from the subvention. “The impending (women’s) tournament is designed for three phases and available funds may only be able to offset the costs of one of these phases,” said Mr. Klass.

The costs exceed 14 million dollars and Klass is soliciting the support of corporate Guyana to realize these commitments. The GFF boss subsequently informed media representatives that a team of football officials are scheduled to meet with officials from the sports ministry. He said that he would attempt to clarify the financial input of the government.

Furthermore, Klass intimated that head of the Private Sector, Gerry Gouveia has pledged the support of members of that entity.

The GFF has also established a local committee to support the efforts of another, established in the USA and headed by Colin Barker.

Second Vice President Franklin Wilson heads the local committee with support from Aubrey Henry, Lavern Fraser-Thomas, Dwayne Lovell and Vanessa Dickenson. Other persons will be added as the momentum builds.

The entire squad reads: Akela Casstella, Alison Heydorn, Alyssa Budhoo, Ashlee Savona, Ashley Rodrigues, Briana DeSouza, Brittany Persaud, Collette Hope, Daria Niya Owen, Donna Carvalhal, Jordanna Phillips, Justine Rodrigues, Katherine Kobelka, Kayla DeSouza, Tricia Munroe, Lorian Toney, Miriam El Masri, Nikitta Persaud, Olivia Gonsalves, Roneta Alberts, Sonia Griffith and Tenyka Francique.

Mark Rodrigues is the Technical Director with Chris Browne as Coach and Wayne Dover as Assistant Coach. Ali Tabrizi will function as the Goalkeeper Coach, Vanessa Dickenson (Manager) and Colin Baker, Programme Director/Assistant Manager.

Photo saved on server as GFF donation 002: President of the GFF, Colin Klass (left) at the press conference with President of the Women’s Football Federation, Vanessa Dickenson, Second Vice President, Franklin Wilson and UK based supporter, Peter Barry.