GFF/Fruta Kool Kidz grassroots community programme launched

Feb 25, 2018 Sports

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) receiving the sponsorship cheque from GBI’s Samuel Arjoon

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has collaborated with distributors, Guyana Beverage Incorporated (GBI) to take a further step in the direction of football development in Guyana with the launching of the Fruta Kool Kidz grassroots programme.
Present at the launch were President of the GFF; Wayne Forde, GFF Technical Director; Ian Greenwood, FIFA Regional Director; Marlon Glean along with Commercial Manager of GBI; Samuel Arjoon and players who took part in the first community grassroots programme that was held in Albouystown.
Arjoon posited that, “Guyana is a land full of Potential and many times we tend to refer to those potential only as our natural resources.” He further noted that, “We often ignore the potential of our Human Capital, particularly in Sports and Arts,” and he called for more investment to develop such.
“At the GBI one of our core values is development of Guyanese Human Capital and as such the GFF grassroots programme is a perfect alignment of our values,” Arjoon concluded.
The Fruta Kool Kidz grassroots football programme that is intended to visit communities across the length and breadth of Guyana will not only teach the youths football but life skills such as the importance of staying in school and refraining from drugs and alcohol.
FIFA Regional Director Marlon Glean exclaimed, “I’m bursting with excitement when I think about the prospect of this programme which is in line

Samuel Arjoon, Commercial Director; Guyana Beverage Company Inc.

with the mandate of FIFA. In fact, all of the top (football) countries in the world focus greatly on grassroots football!”
The newly appointed Glean who has coached College Football (Soccer) in the United States, further shared, “I’ve been around the Caribbean where everybody is scampering to start the programme and I’m happy to be here at the launch. Guyana is one of the first countries in the region to start the grassroots programme and it’s commendable.”
Ian Greenwood explained that part of the Programme which commenced a few days ago in Albouystown will feature the capacity development of community coaches as well.
GFF boss, Wayne Forde, noted, “We (GFF) have the Scotia Bank academy training centers which are held weekend at various venues in all of our (GFF) member associations but we felt the need to carry football to the people in addition to having the people coming to football. In the first week at Albouystown, over 100 kids signed up for the first day of activities. Although these kids have no formal training, it was exciting to see their level of ball weaving.” (Calvin Chapman)

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