GFF investing close to $14M in U-20s preparation

Guyana’s Men’s Under-20 Football squad, which will depart next week for the Concacaf qualifiers, has received significant support from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

President Wayne Forde disclosed on Friday that the total sum will be in the vicinity of G$12 to $14 million.

Ahead of the 2022 Concacaf Under-20 Championship qualifying rounds in November, which will be hosted by the Dominican Republic, the GFF is ensuring the lads are best prepared.

While in the past overseas-based players would join teams on arrival in the host venue on transit, the entire squad is in Guyana and encamped together at a hotel.

To date, between travel and current preparation, Forde said it has already cost the Federation over GY$12 million, but by the time the “final tab comes in”, it should be close to $14 million.

“We are very open with these things; I don’t think the general public for one reason or the other has a real appreciation for the cost that goes into a national team and when you see us organise multiple national teams, it is not just the cost and financial implications, but the logistics.”

The investment is also being done to safeguard the squad, given the prevailing COVID-19 situation. As such, the Federation moved to encamp the entire squad.

Forde indicated that at the moment, the entire funds are being sourced from their FIFA Forward Development Programme funds and Concacaf funding.

Guyana has been drawn into Group D of the Concacaf qualification process with matches against the Cayman Islands (November 6), US Virgin Islands (November 8), and Nicaragua (November 10) to be played in the Dominican Republic.

The winner of each qualification group will progress to the round of 16 finals tournament next year.

The technical staff of the team indicated in a GFF Press release they are very optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the next round.

The diverse 20-man squad features four players from Santos FC, three from Georgetown FC, and three players from Fruta Conquerors, including star forward Omari Glasgow, who shone in his first appearances for the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team in FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.