FIFA investing more in Guyana’s development – Infantino

Apr 12, 2017 Sports

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Aiming to work with Government and CARICOM to build partnership

By Franklin Wilson
FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrapped up a hectic half day visit to Guyana yesterday touting that the world body will be investing more in the nation’s development.

Among the persons visiting with the FIFA boss were Véron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development for Africa and the Caribbean; Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA Advisor to the President, Jasmin Frei, FIFA’s Office Manager, Executive Office of the President, Pablo Aimar a former Argentine national midfield player and former Columbian national Juan Pablo Angel.
Infantino who also turned the sod at the FIFA Forward Project facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara stated at his wrap up press conference held at the Pegasus Hotel that Guyana, like other Caribbean territories is blessed with talented players in all sports.
Meetings were held with His Excellency President David Granger and the CARICOM Secretary General. In sharing briefly the outcome of the interface with both dignitaries, President Infantino said that it was very cordial and they will cooperate and work together.
”Our objective is to work with the governments of all Caribbean to bring football forward.”
Noting that this is their main mission but unfortunately it would have been forgotten a bit in the past since FIFA did not have the spotlight on football as it should have been, lamented Infantino.
”Now we are focusing on football and we are we are very pleased, very happy with the progress, with the dreams which are coming true and which will impact greatly Guyana’s football and the whole Guyana society.”
GFF Head Wayne Forde in his remarks noted that his executive has demonstrated over the past 17 months that the focus is on football in keeping with the new FIFA mandate. He alluded to a robust youth development programme which would get better with time.
However, Forde cautioned that results would not be instantaneous since the process in

developing excellent players would take time.
”But one of the things that we have on our side is that we have a parent body that sees the value of the work that we are doing, a president that has taken bold initiatives in setting out the forward funding programme that has more than tripled the funding that, not only Guyana but many of my fellow colleagues within the region and throughout the world will enjoy.”
Forde also noted that the level of accountability and transparency that are being built within the federation’s administrative structure is consistent with what is required to rebuild the image of the game.
”FIFA alone cannot do this, every member association has to play its part, Guyana has stepped forward and has played its part. We are in a mood of reform and we will continue in that process. I use this opportunity to reassure President Infantino and the football family that the football federation executive committee has the resolve to see this job through. We are committed and we are working diligently every day to create better future for all of our footballers, young boys and young girls.”
Forde underscored what President Infantino had said early in his remarks that the aim of his visit was to explore new possibilities in terms of a collective approach between the Government of Guyana, GFF and the CARICOM Community.
”I see endless possibilities in that relationship, because if there is one thing that is constant in building a relationship is that you have to start talking. I think that if we can all sit around the table and have good conversations, we’re going to find solutions.”
Forde alluded to finding solutions to the high costs of travel in the region, erecting proper playing facilities whilst also finding common ground in devising a football curriculum that results in creating a rounded player. Forde posited that football in the CFU region will see brighter days in the future.
Quizzed on what FIFA will do to ensure that the Forward Project comes to fruition, Infantino said that it is the GFF that will have to work to ensure it is pointing out that things must be done in a transparent and accountable way whilst applying good principles of governance.
”Whatever we are doing in FIFA now, we have increased the funding by three times so each association today receives US$1.250m every year in running costs and project related costs. In the past it was US$250,000.”
Infantino was clear in pointing out that to access these funds; there are clear conditions that must be followed with regards to transparency, accountability and compliance which the GFF has embraced totally.
”That’s why we are working together and you will see great results because we are both men of action and you will see the action on the field.”
Meanwhile, President Infantino also visited the joint Scotiabank Youth Academy which was specially put on for him at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue. In his remarks to the young players, the President encouraged them to play and enjoy the world’s most beautiful game.
“Believe in yourself, believe in you as a football player, believe in you as a person that’s even more important, you’ll see football is a school of life, you learn a lot, you learn to be a teammate, you learn to respect your teammate and be there for the other. You learn to win, you learn to lose, you learn to love.”

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