Latest update March 24th, 2025 7:05 AM
GFF pays respects at funeral of Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey
– Also inspects Berbice project
GFF town council – Members of the GFF delegation and NA Town Council hold talks on Thursday.
GFF President Wayne Forde (left) during an inspection of the football facility in New Amsterdam.
Kaieteur News – A Guyana Football Federation delegation, led by President Wayne Forde, paid its last respects to former national player and Berbice football legend Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey at his funeral in New Amsterdam on Thursday, March 11.
Humphrey, who sadly passed away two weeks ago aged 65, represented Guyana during the
1970s, played for several clubs such as Cougars and Caribs, and ran the Teach Them Young football camp for more than two decades.
“It was a great privilege to attend Grizzly’s funeral this week to honour his memory with his friends, family and community, and to pay our respects on behalf of the football fraternity,”
President Forde said. “It was a deeply moving experience as we celebrated the life of a loving father, son and brother, a great servant to football and a hugely popular man.
“We came away from the ceremony motivated and inspired by Grizzly’s life to continue to develop the game that he loved so dearly. RIP Grizzly,” he said.
During the visit, the delegation took the opportunity to inspect infrastructure works at football facilities in New Amsterdam and Ann’s Grove, where the GFF is investing heavily to improve the quality and standard of grounds in order to spur the development of football and enhance access for all.
The GFF kickstarted major football facility upgrades last month, under the FIFA Forward and
One Concacaf programmes, which included the construction of changing rooms suitable for both male and female players and officials at Ann’s Grove Community Ground and the Vryman’s Erven Ground in New Amsterdam. The upgrades are scheduled for completion in June.
As part of the compliance requirements for the projects, the GFF must monitor contractor activities onsite and strive to ensure the timely, cost effective and quality delivery of any works.
President Forde also held constructive meetings with New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor
Wainwright McIntosh and Town Council officials, as well as Regional Executive Officer
Narindra Persaud, who pledged to support ground development in New Amsterdam.
“We are very satisfied with the works at both facilities so far – they are going to make a big difference for football in both areas and, importantly, open up access to more female players and officials,” said Forde. “The GFF is committed to ensuring that FIFA and Concacaf funds are put to the best use possible for the development of football in Guyana in a clear and transparent way.
A significant strategic focus for us the Executive Committee is to upgrade football facilities around the country so that they are fit for purpose and so that more people can participate in the sport.”
“Our meetings with New Amsterdam and regional representatives were extremely positive and we look forward to working closely with officials in Berbice to improve conditions for football and develop young talent in the region.”
The GFF has a 30-year lease for the Vryman’s Erven ground, which will become a “home of football” for the Berbice region. The GFF’s ongoing infrastructure blitz also includes works to complete the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, upgrades to GFF headquarters in Georgetown, and the installation of a perimeter fence at a playfield in BB Eccles Housing Scheme.
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