FIFA conference focusing on development of grass-roots football

– initiative applauded by Min. Norton

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, May 14, 2019

The development of grass-roots football in Guyana will be the focus of the two-day FIFA conference being held at the Marriot Hotel. The meeting is the first of its kind to be held in Guyana and is aimed at helping Guyana sprout more top-class footballers.

Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton applauded the grass-roots development focus. Minister Norton said that over the years, Guyana astonished the world in the area of sport.

[In the photo, from left to right] President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton and Member Association and Development Director of FIFA, Veron Mosgengo-Omba.

Members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) at the conference.

With that, he said that the government has taken an approach which will build the capacity of its young athletes from a young age. He said that FIFA’s decision to host such a conference in Guyana signals its confidence in the ‘land of many waters’ to produce high calibre footballers.

“Your decision to focus this conference on the implementation of a comprehensive regional schools’ football programme is most timely and very much welcomed. At the level of the government, we appreciate these undertakings, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with FIFA and all its confederates for the betterment of football as a beloved discipline, and as yet another means of bringing people together and promoting social cohesion.”

Minister Norton also alluded to government’s efforts toward the development of the sport.

“This is why we have embarked on upgrading our sports facilities, including community and school grounds. Notwithstanding the construction of two new synthetic tracks, slated for year-end completion. To be noted is the construction of the football playing facility in the inner space of these two tracks,” he said.

Member Association and Development Director of FIFA, Veron Mosgengo-Omba said that development means the future. Hence, the conference is essential to the future of the game of football in Guyana. Similar sentiments were echoed by President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde.

The conference has the presence of all 25 members and six non-members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), assembling in Guyana as part of the FIFA Forward Development Programme.

Isaiah Braithwaite.

Images: Keno George.