GFF hosts M-FAP competitions workshop ahead of ‘return to play’

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) provided in-depth training for its members in competition management at the GFF National Training Centre this weekend, offering technical insights from its experience of managing Concacaf fixtures and enabling the football community to share its collective expertise.

All nine GFF regional associations participated in the theoretical and practical workshop, which was designed to ensure high standards in nationwide competition delivery and to smooth the way for the full return of play in April following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Through the members financial assistance programme or M-FAP, the GFF is giving unprecedented financial, technical and logistical support to its members by revolutionising the way FIFA and Concacaf funding is distributed in Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“Thanks to M-FAP, all of our members have the financial resources they need to stage the full slate of GFF competitions this year, while technical workshops such as these offer the capacity building and training required to make the most of that significant investment in football,” Forde added.

The workshop, led by GFF Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph, featured classroom sessions covering all aspects of competition management, from match day protocols and fan experience to health and safety, followed by practical youth football match sessions to put the new learning into practice.

“The sessions were fantastic – as they keep doing this from week to week in their respective regional associations, we’re really going to see the impact on the ground,” Joseph said.

Given the breadth and depth of football experience in the GFF membership, participants were also encouraged to share their own knowledge to optimise the learning impact of the workshop.

“I must say kudos to the GFF for organising such a programme – the theory was extremely informative,” said Dellon Adams, Executive Member of the East Coast Demerara Football Association.

“Putting it into practice was challenging, but it also brought to bear the realities that we have to face on the ground. The experience was excellent. Going back to my association, I endeavour to offer more help and assistance in getting our tournaments organised.”

The workshop featured insights from GFF President Forde, Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and GFF Members Services Officer Franklin Wilson, and drew on the GFF’s learnings from its involvement in Concacaf competitions and international matches in recent years.

“It’s a positive step where the GFF is concerned to promote such an activity,” said Lomel Johnson of the Georgetown Football Association.

“Getting back to the field of play, we will have better organised football throughout the country. I want to compliment the GFF for putting on such a seminar – the presenters did an excellent job.” (GFF)