– passes FIFA football agent exam
Young Guyanese football enthusiast Faizal Khan earlier this year created history by becoming the first person from the Caribbean to secure a pass in the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) football agents’ examination.
Speaking to Stabroek Sports an elated Khan told this newspaper that he was especially proud of becoming the first Guyanese to achieve this milestone.
“This enables me to legally acquire financial contracts for players to ply their football trade anywhere in the world with me being fully protected by FIFA,” Khan told Stabroek Sports.
“Without this license you cannot legally speak to any football club about financial contracts, “Khan said adding that failure to comply could result in the individual facing the risk of heavy fines and possible exclusion from the sport.
Khan, who sat the examination on April 12 this year, was in receipt of a letter from FIFA informing him that he had secured the required passing grade.
Khan said he is already in discussion with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) so as to advertise the Guyanese players in the United Kingdom.
“This gives young Guyanese the opportunity to make football a career. A few British agents went to Trinidad some 10 years ago and today over 40 Trinidad footballers play professionally in Europe,” he pointed out.
“I’m a strong believer that it is not if, but when, a Guyanese footballer will play in the English Premier League. I hope this will be sooner rather than later, “he added.
Khan, who will be required to sign a Pledge of the Code of Professional Conduct, said the granting of the license will be the start of a process of moving the talent that football has always had into the professional European football circuits.
Khan declared: “I will have the legal right to speak to a player whether they have a contract or not. FIFA highlights that any footballer in the world may have a contract with a professional club as well as with their agent for the agent to transfer salaries, goal bonuses, etc.”
He said the majority of football players outside of Guyana have an agent so that the player can focus on the football and the agent can focus on his business.
Khan has already gotten the GFF to sanction a Guyana All Star XI to play against Cray Wanderers Football Club in an exhibition game this Sunday in England.
Cray Wanderers FC is the second oldest football team in the world and will be commemorating its 150th anniversary.
The game will be played at the Dulwich Hamlet Football Club ground Champion Hill Stadium. Dog kennel Hill, London SE 22 *BD.
“We are giving some of the young Anglo Guyanese who play football for money the opportunity to represent Guyana. It will be a combination of the current squad and some of the better players in England who have Guyanese parents,” Khan said.
He added that he has spoken with Cray Wanderers FC chairman Gary Hillman and as long as he game is a success, Cray FC will fly back to play the Guyana national team at the Providence National Stadium.
