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Parliamentary Secretary chides GFF for impartial attitude
By Michael Benjamin
Parliamentary Secretary, Steve Ninvalle is up in arms with executive of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), accusing it of impartial and counterproductive behaviour as well as a high handed approach to administrative issues. However, General Secretary of the GFF, Noel Adonis is adamant that his organization, while addressing its constitutional mandate, has always demonstrated fairness and impartiality to all affiliates.
Steve Ninvalle
The imbroglio arose after reputable football coach, Joseph Wilson, and the President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), Brian Joseph, had acquiesced to an interview for an article appearing in an earlier edition of Kaieteur News.
Both football affiliates had given kudos to the Inter Block Football tournament, conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports saying that the competition was well organized and had the potential of creating unity among its participants.
Joseph also felt that the tournament would have created the level of camaraderie, not only among players but also supporters. He further voiced the hope that the programme would have attracted the blessings of the executive of the GFF and that officials of that organization would have been delighted to forge amicable relations with the organizers of the Inter-Block Football Tournament.
Wilson and Joseph’s beliefs that their comments would have cemented closer ties between the organizers of the Inter-Block Football Tournament and the ruling football body were dashed when instead of earning applause for their comments, both men have received letters signed by the General Secretary of the GFF, Noel Adonis, that summoned them to appear before a committee of football bigwigs to give reasons why disciplinary actions should not be instituted against them.
Wilson’s letter stated, “The Committee is of the view that in your capacity as a long standing coach of the GFF national teams, you should be familiar with the policy of the GFF in regards to the ‘unregulated’ nature of the current Inter-block football activities.”
Noel Adonis
The correspondence further instructed Wilson to give reasons why disciplinary actions should not be instituted against him for actions (utterances) unbecoming of an officer of the GFF. Kaieteur Sport has been reliably informed that Joseph had received a similar correspondence.
The duo has been given up to next Monday to submit a response to the letter.
Parliamentary Secretary, Steve Ninvalle was astounded by the stance taken by the GFF in regards to the comments made by Wilson and Joseph. He said that the tournament was conceptualized with an aim of cementing relations with the GFF while fostering staunch community spirit.
“It seems painfully obvious that there is an orchestrated attempt to intimidate anyone that supports this government sponsored programme,” Ninvalle opined. He also said that such high handed approaches may have far reaching and adverse effects on the already strained relations with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the GFF. “In view of this and other occurrences of the past, pertaining to our dealings with the GFF, it may be prudent for the Ministry to review its dealings with the GFF,” Ninvalle opined. He further said that the move by the GFF simply demonstrates the level of pettiness of that organization in conducting football affairs.
“One would have thought that the GFF have more serious matters to attract their attention in managing local football,” Ninvalle concluded.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport spoke with General Secretary of the GFF, Noel Adonis. He was extremely cagey in his responses to most of the questions posed but he did confirm that a letter has been dispatched to Wilson citing him for certain indiscretions that contravened the constitution.
Quizzed on whether a similar letter had been dispatched to Joseph, Adonis replied, “the matter is currently engaging the attention of the GFF and we will be consistent in our rulings.”
Pressed to elaborate, Adonis staunchly said that his response was clearly spelt out. “So are you saying that a similar letter has been dispatched to Joseph,” this writer wanted to know. Adonis merely repeated his earlier statement.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport attempted to contact Wilson and Joseph but both phones rang out.
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