GFF begins major infrastructural upgrades at community grounds

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Wednesday kickstarted major infrastructural upgrades at GFF headquarters, BB Eccles Play Field, Ann’s Grove Community Ground on the East Coast of Demerara and New Amsterdam – a big leap forward for the Federation’s strategic goals to improve football facilities across the country.

The projects, which are funded by the FIFA Forward programme and Concacaf’s One Concacaf Programme (OCP), will include the installation of a perimeter fence at a Playfield in BB Eccles Housing Scheme on the East Bank, the rehabilitation of the GFF office building in Campbellville, Georgetown, and the construction of changing rooms, suitable for both male and female players and match officials, at Ann’s Grove Community Ground and the Vrymens Erven Ground in New Amsterdam.

“This is groundbreaking for us because the whole rehabilitation process is part of the Federation’s strategic plan,” GFF First Vice-President Brigadier (rtd.) Bruce Lovell said at a signing ceremony at GFF headquarters. “One of our strategic goals is to deal with the issue of infrastructure. The paucity of infrastructure has continued to hamper the effective development of football in Guyana.”

“An important aspect of the works in Ann’s Grove and New Amsterdam has to do with ensuring that there are female-friendly facilities,” Lovell said, urging the selected contractors to strive for the highest quality standards in construction and to deliver the projects on time to ensure value for all stakeholders.

The projects will begin as early as next week and are due to be completed in June. In line with strict FIFA Forward regulations, the contracts were awarded following a thorough tender process, overseen by the global governing body of football. Progress will be monitored closely by the GFF and FIFA to ensure the timely and high quality delivery of the upgrades.

“This is a historical moment for us as a Federation,” said GFF General Secretary Rev. Ian Alves. “We are endeavouring to make our football environment the best we can, especially for our stakeholders and members.”

The selected contractors are East Bank-based firms H&D Investments and Romano Builders Contractors and Berbice-based Team Wanted Construction. (GFF)