Haslington mini-pitch opened as FIFA outlines wider football plans for Guyana
FIFA President Gianni Infantino opened a new football mini-pitch at Haslington, East Coast Demerara, on November 5, with a second facility completed at Retrieve, Linden, and further infrastructure projects outlined during his visit to Guyana.
The Haslington facility is expected to serve approximately 2,500 boys and girls, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) said. Both pitches form part of FIFA Arena, an initiative launched in May 2025 with a target of establishing at least 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide by 2031.
Infantino also met President Irfaan Ali at State House in Georgetown, where discussions covered football development, community participation and opportunities for young players.
The Haslington opening was attended by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., Minister within the ministry Steven Jacobs, GFF President Wayne Forde, Second Vice-President Rawlston Adams, Third Vice-President Deon Innis, other GFF Council members and stakeholders.
The two completed facilities are intended to expand access to football for schoolchildren and underserved communities. They will support FIFA’s Football for Schools programme and community grassroots activities, combining participation in the sport with education and life skills.
Forde said the federation intended to work with schools, teachers, coaches and regional associations to organise regular activities at the pitches, develop players’ skills and identify talent from an early age.
“Our responsibility now is to ensure that these facilities are not simply built, but are consistently and purposefully utilised to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to our communities,” Forde said.
He described access to suitable facilities as particularly important for smaller footballing nations and said the GFF hoped to establish a wider network of mini-pitches through cooperation with FIFA, the government, the private sector and other stakeholders.
FIFA said 700 pairs of football boots were scheduled to arrive in Guyana in the coming weeks through its Boots for All initiative for distribution to local children.
The organisation also outlined plans for two additional FIFA Arena pitches within the GFF’s D’Urban Park Stadium project. The proposed stadium is intended to accommodate between 8,000 and 12,000 spectators and meet FIFA standards.
That development is planned alongside an expansion of the GFF National Training Centre. FIFA said US$2.42 million in Forward funding had supported the installation of an artificial pitch and renovations to floodlights and other facilities at the centre.
Further GFF funding is planned for seating around the centre’s pitches as part of its longer-term infrastructure plans.
Beyond facilities, FIFA’s statement pointed to GFF financial support for licensed clubs and regional associations, as well as national youth and senior competitions. These include the GFF Youth Ensemble competition introduced this year for under-13, under-15 and under-17 boys, complementing existing girls’ tournaments.
At the Haslington ceremony, Ramson said the value of the investment would depend on its use and the opportunities it created over time. He identified participation, confidence, talent development and community engagement as outcomes against which its impact could be assessed.
Infantino said FIFA would continue working with the government and the GFF to provide resources and opportunities for young people. He described the mini-pitch as a place where boys and girls could play football and develop life skills.
The GFF said its next focus would be regular use of the completed facilities through partnerships with schools, communities and regional associations.
Source: Kiskadee Watch
