The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] and the Guyana Beverage Incorporated, officially signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] to roll-out the ‘Fruta Kool Kidz’ National Grassroots Programme.
The initiative, which was birthed in Georgetown, will now commence in each of the nine regional member associations, under the watchful eye of federation coaches. It will target boys and girls under 11 years of age.
A subsidiary of Trinidad and Tobago entity SM Jaleel and Company Limited, the Guyana Beverage Incorporated, has a long and proud history in local sport development. The institution is the official sponsor of Tucville giant Fruta Conquerors, the country’s leading developmental club.
Speaking to media operatives yesterday at the launch hosted at the federation’s Section-K Campbellville headquarters, Samuel Arjune, Guyana Beverage Incorporated Commercial Manager, said: “This is commendable because it gives us an opportunity not only to develop young people, but from a marketing perspective, we’re happy for the opportunity for our products to be available in other parts of Guyana.
“We look across Guyana and the Caribbean, any sports enthusiast will tell you that Guyana is full with talent for sports, but then, if we really ask ourselves this question; why are we still behind our counterparts in the Caribbean? The talent is there, no doubt, in almost every aspect of sports.”
He contended that despite the natural talent, the nation was lagging behind their Caribbean counterparts because of inadequate facilities and poor institutional support.
“We are happy at the Guyana Beverage Inc., through the Kool Kidz Brand, to provide that opportunity to help the Guyana football clubs and Wayne Forde and the GFF mandate in development of grassroots football throughout Guyana,” he said.
Meanwhile Wayne Forde, President of the GFF praised the company for its long-serving commitment to sport development. He revealed that coaches will be trained by the federation to effectively administer the programme and impart the required knowledge to the participants.
