The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has created a Covid-19 Task Force, whose aim will be to craft protocols and oversee the preparation for the safe resumption of the discipline in the coming months.
This was disclosed in a release from the federation. The body arose following a request to the national Covid-19 task force for the resumption of training and competitions as conditions and guidelines will allow.
The 17 members of the task force are Chairman Wayne Forde, (GFF Medical Committee Rep.) Kojo Sandiford, General Secretary Ian Alves, (Clubs Rep.) Eton Moses, (GFF Head of Finance) Marco Meredith, (Events and Competition Organizer) Troy Mendonca, (Legal Rep.) Kalam Juman-Yasmin, GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood, (Women’s Football Rep.) Andrea Johnson, (Referees Rep.) Dion Inniss, (Players Association Rep.) Akel Clarke, (Regions Reps.) Otis James and Orin Ferrier, (Coaches Association Rep.) Dillion Roberts, (National Covid-19 Task Force Rep.) Loring Benons, (Corporate Guyana Rep.) Fitzroy McLeod and National Head Coach Marcio Maximo. A representative of the Ministry of Sport/Government of Guyana was not listed.
The release further disclosed that the committee, which staged their first meeting virtually on November 17th, will supervise all aspects of the GFF’s ‘Bounceback’ plan, inclusive of health and medical factors, legal matters, coordination with the National COVID-19 Task Force and communication and collaboration with GFF members and all football stakeholders.
The ‘Bounceback’ programme is a UEFA initiative that the GFF, as part of its ongoing partnership with European football’s governing body, is utilizing in their effort to resume football in a safe environ. Guyana is the second nation in the Concacaf jurisdiction to utilize the services of UEFA to plan for resumption of football.
GFF President Wayne Forde said, “The GFF is taking every action necessary to bring football back in the safest way possible, once we get the green light from the authorities. This is likely to be a gradual return to action in order to manage the risks as we roll out the robust and pragmatic plan we have developed in our partnership with UEFA.”
According to Forde, “The key to a successful resumption of football will be making sure we remain flexible, respect the guidelines at all times while guaranteeing that all stakeholders are engaged and consulted, so that we can all get back to the game we love as soon as possible. For now, it is important to remind our community that football is not currently allowed under the current restrictions – we urge all of our peers to respect the rules and protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Meanwhile, Eva Pasquier, UEFA Head of International Relations, lauded the quality of the plan that is being implemented by the local governing body.
She declared, “The UEFA Assist Team has been very impressed with the quality and attention to detail shown by the Guyana Football Federation in developing the ‘Bounceback’ action plan. This has been evident right from the top of the organisation and the President, Wayne Forde, has fully supported the initiative, participating fully in all sessions and inspiring his leadership team to be creative in their approach.”
“I would like to congratulate the “Bounceback” manager, Ian Greenwood, in particular for an excellent piece of work preparing for the resumption of football on the pitch and looking at how to connect with all football players, coaches, referees and volunteers”, Pasquier said.
Similarly, Concacaf Senior Projects Manager Howard McIntosh said, “COVID-19 has changed the world and football is no exception. It is critical that all member associations and national teams establish a framework for operation in a COVID-19 world. We salute the GFF’s efforts in this regard. The GFF has continued to implement best practices in football leading to many of its successes on and off the field. It has sought out and participated in numerous programmes to improve as an association, using this downtime efficiently and effectively as it plans to return to play. This makes the GFF a model in many ways. This type of drive to succeed must be heralded and emulated.”
