Guyana is partnering with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to construct 10 mini-football pitches across the country, in an initiative aimed at expanding access to the sport, strengthening grassroots development and creating more opportunities for young players.
President Irfaan Ali announced the expanded project on Thursday, November 5, following discussions with visiting FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his delegation. The facilities will be developed through a co-investment arrangement between the Government and FIFA.
According to Ali, FIFA had initially proposed establishing two pitches, but the Government pushed for the project to be expanded to 10. He said designs were already available and that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport would work with FIFA on implementation.
One of the facilities was commissioned at Haslington on the East Coast of Demerara on Thursday, marking the first of the planned 10 pitches.
The initiative is intended to improve access to football facilities, particularly for children and young people who may not otherwise have suitable spaces to train and develop their skills. The investment also reflects a wider recognition that grassroots infrastructure is essential to building a sustainable football programme and identifying future national talent.
Ali said the Government viewed sports development as more than the provision of recreational facilities, pointing to the economic opportunities associated with football and the wider sporting industry.
“We know football as not only a game. There is an economy around football, and if we do it right, the economy around football, around sports, can lead to massive economic and social gains in our society,” he said.
Beyond the construction of the pitches, the discussions also focused on creating more competitive opportunities for Guyanese footballers. Ali proposed working with FIFA to establish a world-class tournament in Guyana that could attract regional and international participation, generate television rights and draw commercial investment.
The President said discussions on the proposed competition should begin before the end of this year, with the possibility of developing a sustainable tournament that could eventually be expanded across the Caribbean.
Infantino, meanwhile, stressed that access to infrastructure and regular competition was critical to giving young players from smaller footballing nations a chance to progress.
“Football is for everyone, everywhere. What is missing for a boy or a girl born in this part of the world to have more opportunities and chances to become one of the top players? What is missing is infrastructure and competitions. And we will invest together in both,” he said.
His remarks underscored the importance of developing football beyond the national team level, particularly through facilities and structured competitions that allow young players to acquire experience and demonstrate their abilities.
The proposed tournament could also provide Guyana with an opportunity to attract visiting teams, supporters and commercial partners, although details of its format, financing and participation have yet to be announced.
The 10 mini-pitches and the proposed competition form part of the broader discussions between the Government and FIFA on expanding football development in Guyana. Their impact will ultimately depend on the timely completion of the facilities, their accessibility to communities and the establishment of programmes that give young players sustained opportunities to train and compete.
