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International:
* CONCACAF Vice President Lisle Austin visited Guyana during the 100th anniversary celebrations of the GFF as the representative of FIFA and participated in the activities which took place on the day of sports and barbeque and lime on 26th October 2002. He brought greetings from FIFA President and Mr. Austin 'Jack' Warner President of CONCACAF and CFU.
* President Colin Klass, first Vice President, Winston Callender, General Secretary George Rutherford and treasurer Aubrey Henry were the GFF representatives at the FIFA Extra Ordinary and Regular Congresses which were held in Seoul, Korea on 28th and 29th May, 2002. These representatives also met in a special caucus of CONCACAF the previous day and agreed to vote unanimously for the candidacy of President Blatter who eventually won a second term despite much controversy. The investigations which were launched into President Blatter's behaviour and conduct have been withdrawn and he has been exonerated.
*President Colin Klass, General Secretary George Rutherford and Public Relations Officer Franklin Wilson attended the CONCACAF/CUF XXV Ordinary Congress which was held in Miami from 18th to 21st April 2002. At this Congress President Warner was elected to serve another term.
* President Klass remained in Korea and Japan after the completion of the FIFA Congresses and he functioned as a match commissioner for several world cup matches including the one when Brazil and England played each other. After performing these duties President Klass visited the English Football Association and had discussions with that body regarding technical assistance support for the GFF's football development programme.
* Information was received form FIFA that Guyana's goal project was approved and that FIFA would be providing funding in the amount of US$400,000. We have already mobilised the Architect and sub contractors and a Geo technical study was completed.
* All of the referees and assistant referees who were proposed by the Federation received their instruments of appointment from FIFA. All of these referees and assistants had by the end of the year performed duties at the international level. The age limit for performance of duties of FIFA referee and assistant referees has been waived. The criteria for selection of these referees and assistant referees will be based on their fitness and competence.
*Ms. Dianne Ferreira-James performed exceptionally well at the U-19 female world cup in Canada and had the distinction of performing duties in the final between the U.S.A and Canada. She also was the referee who performed duties at the final of the CONCACAF gold cup between the USA and Canada.
* Towards the end of the year the GFF was informed of the suspension of its gold cup project as it has not satisfied one of the criteria which was that the GFF should be in possession of the land on which the project would be located. The GFF is continuing its efforts at engaging the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Housing and Water in discussions aimed at securing land early in the New Year.
Regional:
The GFF exposed a number of its officials to several upgrading programmes conducted by CFU/CONCACAF and in their collaboration with the English F. A. such exposure included:
* Attendance by the President and General Secretary of the GFF at the goal development planning workshop at the Centre of Excellence from 12th to 14th March 2002.
* Attendance by Mr. Joseph Wilson, head coach on a F. A. International Coaching Course at the Centre of Excellence from 16th to 25th March 2002. Mr. Wilson successfully completed the programme and was awarded a 'B' certificate.
* Attendance by Messrs Griffith, Aaron, and Beckles on a referees instructors training course conducted by CFU/CONCACAF in collaboration with the English F. A. at the Centre of Excellence from 22nd to 26th April 2002. All of the participants successfully completed the programme and received licences to perform duties of referees instructors.
* Attendance by Messrs Phillip Carrington, Osmond Jeune and Christopher George at a goal keepers coaches training programme which was conducted by CFU/CONCACAF and held at the Centre of Excellence from 24th to 26th May 2002.
* Attendance by Messrs Maurice John and Franklin Wilson at an Advanced Marketing and Administration workshop which was conducted by the English FA and CFU/CONCACAF from 25th - 27th September 2002 at the Centre of Excellence.
* Attendance by Mr. Neider Colmerauer Dos Santos, technical director at a CONCACAF World Cup Symposium from 4th - 5th October 2002 at the Centre of Excellence.
The GFF also participated in a number of regional tournaments organised by the CFU and CONCACAF.
These included:
* The U-19 female world cup qualifiers which were held in Antigua in January 2002 among Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Suriname and Guyana. Guyana was victorious in its game against Dominica
* The U-20 male world cup qualifiers elimination matches which were played between Guyana and Suriname on a home and away basis. Guyana lost in Suriname and drew its home game.
* The male senior team gold cup qualifiers elimination matches which were played between the Netherland Antilles and Guyana. Guyana won its game at home and lost its return fixture. In sudden death penalties Guyana was eliminated.
* The U-17 male world cup qualifiers saw Guyana defeating Dominica both at home and away. In the play offs in Bermuda, Guyana despite being tied on points with the eventual winner of the tournament lost out on goal difference
President Colin Klass, General Secretary George Rutherford and General Manager National Teams Maurice John performed duties as Match Commissioner for several regional matches which were held in Guyana and overseas.
NATIONAL:
* A two (2) days Retreat of members of the General Council was held at the Ocean View Convention Centre and Hotel in February 2002. This forum developed priorities for the organisation for the short, medium and long term.
* Executives of the GFF met with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and officials from that ministry and the Ministry of Education on Thursday 12th September to discuss a 17-point agenda of football development and related matters. Since that meeting the GFF has been in discussion with the Ministry of Education for the re-introduction of football in schools.
* The GFF assisted two of its injured footballers Messrs Osmond Jeune and Germaine Brown with meeting the cost of their medical diagnoses and with meeting the costs of their transportation to seek medical attention overseas. In the case of Mr Jeune the GFF assisted in coordinating efforts for the procurement of funds from several sources including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Western Tigers Football club, the Guyana Teachers Union and Demerara distilleries Limited.
* The GFF was able after several unsuccessful attempts to secure the services of a qualified technical director who is a Brazilian national. He, together with Messrs Joseph Wilson and Mr Andrew Crogan who have been appointed as head coach and coach respectively will be the initial members of the technical department which is located on the ground floor of the head quarters building.
* The GFF celebrated 100 years of the playing of organized football in Guyana with a programme which had to be significantly reduced because of the political and socio-economic situation in the country. The activities included attendance at the church service, a barbque and lime, a family fun day and day of sports. Commemorative items were put on display and are now available for purchase.
* All of the sub-associations with the exception of GFL, which is currently under investigation, were able to effectively carry out their programmes which included youth, women and male football competitions. The GFL was beset by organizational and administrative problems and an interim management committee took over the operations of the League during the year. U-13, U-16 and U-20 inter sub-association tournaments were conducted during the year and competition was very keen. During the year sponsorships were secured for national U-13 and U-15 competitions and discussions were advanced towards securing sponsorships fort the U-17 and U-20 tournaments.
* The GFF was able by the end of the year to establish offices for three (3) more sub-associations and paid for their office management and administration services. The other sub-associations will receive similar support as soon as they are able to secure suitable accommodation and staff. The Bartica Football Sub-Associations received support for the erection of posts on which flood lights will be mounted. The GFF will finance the costs of the lighting and the switch room on the football ground.
* Two (2) referees symposia and a similar programme for coaches were held in Guyana with the support and assistance of the CFU.
* GFF coaches and referees visited Regions 8 and 9 and developed the persons with potential at these locations. They also held clinics, adjudicated several games and supervised their elections. The GFF will continue to provide funding, equipment and gears for competitions in these regions and utilize their eligible players in national tournaments.
* Several press briefings were held to sensitise the public on football developments at the national, regional, and international levels and through a fortnightly programme aired on GTV the GFF also has been keeping the nation abreast of developments.
* The Leyland 44-seater bus which was acquired by the GFF continues to be utilized for transporting footballers, visiting football teams and teams and officials from other sporting disciplines.
* The GFF mourned the loss of two (2) persons who provided solid support for its work. These persons were the late Bertram Hamilton who died on 26th June, 2002 and the late Kester Alves who died on 25th July, 2002. May their souls rest in peace.