National squads' training venue far from desirable - Dos Santos
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
July 1, 2004
Technical Director Neider Dos Santos is not satisfied with the venue where the national Under-20 and Under-17 football teams are now forced to train, but said he is compelled to do the best with what he has.
Training by the two squads for the World Cup qualifiers is taking place on a small and unmarked section of the National Park. "It is far from desirable. This is a problem we will face until we have our own facility," Dos Santos said.
The national Under-20 squad has been at the National Park for close to two weeks, while the Under-17s have been there for around one week. One football zealot labelled the field as just fit for a scrubby.
The Under-20 side previously trained at the University of Guyana ground until being given the red card because consistent rain had left the ground soggy.
The national side then tried out at the BV ground, but reports were that the outfield was rough, resulting in them taking a small portion of the park on which to train.
Acknowledging that the field at the National Park is large enough, Dos Santos says the players and coaching staff have been putting up a brave face and are not complaining.
He was adamant that the predicament is temporary and that for the time being he will make do with whatever is available.
However, he advised that the situation would have to improve by next week when he plans commencing technical and practical work.
"I have to do with what I have now. Neither the players nor the coaching staff are complaining. If you give me the streets to prepare, I'll have to make it Wembley. I can live with it until the end of this week," Dos Santos said.
According to the Brazilian, the sides are currently placing emphasis on physical work. "We are doing long distance running and other stuff but we plan on moving to practical and technical work next week. That is when we will need another ground."
The Under-17 team will travel to Cuba early in August to compete in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers while the Under-20 team will play in Trinidad and Tobago around the same time.
The present plight of the two national squads highlights the need for the GFF to get its own ground; a process that is moving at a snail's pace.
Over a year ago, the federation had stated that it was in negotiation with a private individual who had promised to donate land for the building of a football facility.
This came on the heels of the infamous stadium fiasco which prompted the Ministry of Sport to go through the GFF's request for land with a fine-tooth comb.
Minister of Sport Gail Teixeira had then called on the GFF to "operate in a more open and honest manner with the football community."