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Infantino leads sod turning ritual at Guyana’s FFP National Training Centre
By Franklin Wilson
After touching down in the Land of Many Waters at around 08:30hrs yesterday,
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (center) flanked Minister of Sport Ms. Nicolette Henry and GFF Head Wayne Forde performing sod turning rights yesterday at the Providence Forward Project facility.
President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Mr. Gianni Infantino made his way to the site for the FIFA Forward Programme sponsored Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre at Providence, EBD where his led the turning of the sod rituals.
Joined by Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Youth, Sport and Culture Ms. Nicolette Henry and GFF President Wayne Forde, the trio did the traditional turning of the sod at the Providence location for the FIFA Forward Programme (FFP) funded facility.
Infantino expressed delight at being able to visit Guyana and to participate in the sod turning exercise. He noted that the facility would change the landscape of not only football but will also contribute to the society as a whole.
He commended Forde and his executive for doing a great job at the helm: “They are thinking big, they are dreaming big but what is most important, they are putting it in practice; they are acting, they are not just talking and that’s important.”
”For this reason, FIFA is proud to be here to be helping the football association of Guyana and the government to really put in place this fantastic development project.”
Minister Henry in brief remarks complimented FIFA for making the project a reality. “We are certainly grateful for this initiative which will go a long way in terms of development of sports not only in terms of football. So on behalf of Government and people I’d certainly like to say thank you for making this happen.”
The commemorative turning of the sod plaque carved on local wood is unveiled by President Infantino and Minister Henry.
A plaque to commemorate the sod turning exercise was also jointly unveiled by President Infantino and Minister Henry. Infantino was accompanied on this trip by Véron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development for Africa and the Caribbean; Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA Advisor to the President and Jasmin Frei, FIFA’s Office Manager, Executive Office of the President.
Please find below some Facts on the Project…
1. The facility, when completed, will be officially known as the Providence Technical Centre and Mini Stadium.
2. The work will be done in two phases – site preparation and laying of the Astro Turf.
3. Dwayne Ferdinand and Home Designs and Engineering Associates will execute the preparatory works and Green Fields will execute laying of the Astro Turf.
4. The contract for the preparatory works involves “removing of the top soil, putting on the construction fill (laying of the white sand), laying of drainage pipes, compacting to necessary specifications and putting on a fence.”
5. Bids were submitted in June, 2016 and the winning bid was valued at G$128,982,471.
6. The project is expected to be completed four months from the agreed date of signature. The start date is to be decided.
7. The consultant to the project is Marcel Gaskin and Associates; they will provide supervision of the works.
8. All funds have been approved for the project.
The Goal Project will be constructed at Providence, East Bank Demerara, following the acquisition of a 30-year lease for 8.5 acres of land from the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). This will provide a FIFA-approved home for the Federation, which will, among others, facilitate the national team’s training sessions and host international matches.
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