President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, has revealed that plans are moving ahead with regards to a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the custodians of the Ann’s Grove Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara, and the GFF that would give the Federation certain rights to invest some $10 million to upgrade the facility into a female-friendly arena.
GFF President Wayne Forde (second left) observes as Minister Ramson Jr. gets a feel of the turf at the GFF National Training Facility – Photo Credit: (NewsRoom)
This was disclosed by Forde when he welcomed the new Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., to the GFF National Training Facility, recently for his inaugural visit.
Adequate facilities are one of the main challenges faced by the various sports disciplines, and football is no different. However, the Federation has been moving swiftly with the construction of Guyana’s first National Training Centre at Providence, which will soon enter the second construction phase.
And while works are moving apace at Providence, the GFF is also eyeing the development of other facilities around the country to advance the development of players, both male, and female, according to Forde.
”Women’s football is one of the key strategic objectives of the GFF and that venue, while all football would be played would be fashioned to accommodate women’s football. So we will ensure the investment covers washrooms, dressing rooms, and we’re hoping, out of that ten million dollars, we can put in some lights as well; there are works on the surface that is part of that agenda. We want to give more young women access to the game by creating a wholesome environment at venues across the country. This, I believe, will encourage parents to look upon Women’s football more favorably and hopefully feel safer about their daughters’ participation.”
Ann’s Grove Community Centre ground is one of the more spacious facilities on the East Coast with the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) using it as one of its main hubs for the playing of matches at every level.
Forde stated that as a follow up to the National Training Centre visit, the GFF would be sitting down with Minister Ramson to update him more on their plans to advance infrastructure development, among other areas.
”We’re confident that if there’s an opportunity where the government of Guyana can contribute, they’ll do so.”
It was also disclosed that the GFF, back in 2019, signed a 30-year lease with the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam for 5.4acres of land at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam. This facility would also attract an investment of $10M from the GFF.
“These are the two venues that are immediately on our agenda,” Forde posited.
Durban Park to be GFF’s marquee international venue
Forde also shared that the 7.4 acres of land acquired at Durban Park would see Guyana’s premier football pitch being developed there.
”We’re getting support from our counterparts in Denmark to do the engineering services, and in a few weeks, you will actually see works started on the clearing of the ground.”
[Extracted and Modified from Kaieteur News]
