Latest update November 23rd, 2024 1:00 AM
Dec 31, 2008 Sports
GCF must be more open
By Franklin Wilson
Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Life Member and CEO of Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) George Humphrey, say he is not satisfied with the progress of the sport in Guyana.
Humphrey, who as a businessman has pumped millions of dollars into cycling over the 20 years he has been involved, believes that the Federation which is being led by former National cyclist Hector Edwards, can be much more active.
‘Uncle Georgie’ as he is familiarly known in the cycling arena disclosed that himself and club decided not to participate in any GCF run activities as a means of showing their disapproval for the manner in which the sport is being run.
“Our riders compete in races sanctioned by the GCF but as a club we will not support any other activity that the Federation hosts until they become more democratic in the way things are done.”
Roraima Bikers Club is one of the largest cycling clubs in Guyana and the only one with a branch in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden. Over the years the club has been very active in organising events and has also been responsible for producing quality riders the likes of Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, Alonzo Greaves and Christopher Holder, to name a few.
“We organise on an annual basis about five events in Georgetown and our branch in Linden about four. The Wheat Up, Troy Humphrey and George Cumberbatch Memorial races are just a few we bring off. As a stakeholder we are very concerned about the overall development of these athletes.”
One of the unfortunate developments of the GCF Humphrey points to is the manner in which the last elections were conducted. He contends that the Returning Officer based on the constitution should be someone who is associated with cycling and this was not adhered to.
He also disclosed that voting at the AGM was done in block and feels that that was a deliberate ploy to keep his club out of the mix.
“Imagine we are one of the largest clubs in this country and we do not have a single representative on the GCF executive. We would like to see a more open approach at the leadership level with those at the helm displaying sound vision for the development of the most important ingredient, our cyclists.”
‘Uncle Georgie’ also lamented the fact that the GCF does not organise any races and if it were not for the races clubs organise on an individual basis and National Coach Hassan Mohammed, the sport would have been dead.
He complimented Mohammed for the job he has been doing over the years which has kept the riders and the sport going.
The National Sports Commission also chips in with the annual three-stage race and is also the sponsor of the annual Teach Them Young Programme held in August and conducted by Mohamed.
In spite all that has taken place, Humphrey says he is opened to meeting with Edwards and the executive to seriously mend the broken bridges in charting a new course for the sport and especially, the riders.
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