Georgetown, Guyana – (August 31, 2015) Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, today met with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon in an effort to garner support for the Federation’s Elite League.
Urling, who was accompanied by GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton, GFF Normalisation Committee Vice President Karen Pilgrim and GFF Assistant General Secretary Deidre David, explained that the GFF is preparing to launch its ‘Elite League’ in early September, with the actual kick off on September 18.
This league, he said “is an 8 month league for our highest level of football in the country. It’s also a historical moment, because for the first time we will be paying players to participate in a completion tournament.”
The Chairman explained that that it would require an enormous amount of resources to pull off the league in a professional manner, and while the GFF and FIFA are plugging their resources to ensure that it is a success, government’s support is also crucial for it to become a reality.
“Today’s meeting is to discuss the mechanics of the league and to solicit government’s support; financially or otherwise into making the league a reality and a success,” he said.
Meanwhile, GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton expressed that football must be recognised as a tool of social development. Bolton pointed out that such a league has great ramifications and will trickle down so that the smallest child can benefit.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the conclusion of the meeting, pledged government’s support for the sport in Guyana.
He was however adamant that the sport and its managers must give back to society and players.
“What I would like to see is a clear tangible programme that says we are going to pay attention to these young men and women who play football,” Minister Harmon told the GFF’s Executives.
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