MOU signed with GoG to construct 2nd Football Complex Int. full size pitch and two mini pitches to be constructed; 24 hr access for community

Feb 09, 2019 Sports

History was created yesterday when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Government of Guyana (GoG) for the 25-year lease of 7.3 acres of land to construct a football facility at Durban Park, Georgetown.
This facility, which will be known as the “GFF Durban Park Football Complex,” is expected to accommodate an international quality full size pitch, two mini pitches and a new headquarters for the GFF.
The signing was done in the Press Room of the Office of the President by President Wayne Forde, on behalf of the GFF and Minister of State, Hon. Joseph H

GFF’s President Wayne Forde (left) and Minister of State Hon. Joseph Harmon shakes hands after signing the MoU, yesterday. At right is DoS, Christoper Jones.

armon, on behalf of the GoG.
President Forde in brief remarks following the signing, thanked the Government and other football stakeholders and noted the significance of the moment: “Today marks a huge milestone for football in Guyana and a defining moment for the future of every young boy and girl who dreams of playing the game at the highest level. The importance of high quality football pitches is inextricably linked to the quality of players we develop and the quality of our National teams. Without the right infrastructure, we cannot develop football. It’s as simple as that. We cannot improve standards; we cannot compete at the highest level of the sport.”
In stating that this is the “second major, groundbreaking and game-changing infrastructural project for football” in Guyana following the construction of the GFF’s National Training Centre at Providence, Forde said this facility will further enhance the Executive Committee’s ongoing efforts to completely transform football in Guyana.
“This project will help the GFF to increase participation in football, spot talent in its infancy stage, increase the player population, raise the quality of our football programmes, improve the image of the sport, enhance community cohesion and improve the health and well-being of our communities. It is one more giant step in the ongoing efforts of my Executive Committee to use our time in office to lay a solid and lasting foundation for the sustainable development of football. This is a giant leap in our quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Harmon said this project is significant, as “the people of Guyana will have access to high-quality public infrastructure, which would allow for them to develop their talent as sportsmen and women.”

GFF’s Wayne Forde and DoS Christopher Jones turns the sod at the proposed site of the GFF Durban Park Football Complex.

In providing some perspective of the history of the agreement, Harmon said it was a mutual one between FIFA and the GoG: “When the President of FIFA visited Guyana he met with the President of Guyana, H.E President David Granger, and the President of FIFA made a commitment to help Guyana achieve certain goals in so far as his organization is concerned. Our president also committed to ensure what can be done at the level of the Government, that we will do so. This collaboration between the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Football Federation is testimony of that commitment which the two presidents made.”
The Minister emphasized that initiatives such as these are “important steps in our development” and public access to the facility is an important part of the agreement for both physical health and development of skills.
“This activity of declaring the area for sport not only benefits the Guyana Football Federation but, in our negotiation, we insisted that the public must have access to these facilities, which I have asked the GFF to maintain. That is their Corporate Social Responsibility to the citizens of that community particularly the young men of Lodge, West Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt and communities that do not have real and proper playing facilities; that we will be able to maintain two public spaces where they can arrange games for their own use.”
This signing will pave the way for the commencement of construction, which is scheduled to be completed by 2021. The mini pitches are expected to be available to the community on a 24-hour basis. Following the signing, sod-turning was done at the proposed site on Durban Park by President Forde and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones against an unveiling of a billboard on the site.
President Wayne Forde also presented an official FIFA match ball to Minister Harmon.