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National captain takes ruling football body to task
Insurance, pay among the issues
Howard Lowe
The proposed tour of a national football team to Suriname to engage footballers from the host country sometime next week, has hit a snag with appointed Captain, Howard Lowe, showing some dissent for the paltry allowance offered by executives of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the issuance of protective insurance policies for the players, among other issues.
A disgruntled Lowe has since demanded that executives of the GFF retain an earlier commitment to pay him the agreed upon the stipulated $15 USD a day during training and $20(USD) during the tour. He has subsequently dispatched a letter to the General Secretary of the GFF, Noel Adonis expressing dissatisfaction at the general state of affairs pertaining to the tour.
The letter is also carbon copied to several key officials in the football fraternity including, President of the GFF, Colin Klass, President of the GFA, Troy Mendonca, executives of the GFF, those of the General Council and President of the Alpha Football Club, Odinga Lumumba.
Key among the issues is the issuance of insurance policies for members of the team. Lowe states that the absence of such security is indeed worrying. He is calling on the GFF to supply this assurance in writing before the team departs these shores.
On the issue of allowance Lowe writes, “During encampment we had agreed that the captain receives 15(USD) per day.
I have recently been informed that the manager (of the team) has insisted that the amount now stands at 10(USD), which represents a similar sum as the other players.”
Lowe remains adamant that such actions are rude and dishonest. As such he states, “I think it best to withdraw my services as captain and player of the national team until such time that this matter is amicably resolved.” The appointed captain clearly states that he is indeed happy with his posting but is arguing that the executives of the GFF could have at least demonstrated a modicum of respect for him in that capacity.
He said that while he recognizes that Guyana is a poor country and cannot afford to pay exorbitant salaries to its national team that are on par with power nations such as Brazil and the USA, he remains adamant that the executive of the local football federation has shown him nothing but disrespect especially since they had earlier discussed this matter and agreed upon the initial sum.
Lowe said that he is open to discussions on the matter and vows to stay in training in anticipation of an amicable resolution. “I pledge to stay in shape with the ultimate goal of representing my country once these issues are favourably sorted out,” he said.
It is being hinted in some football circles close to the team that several members may join their captain in ensuring they are properly covered and remunerated as was agreed.
Up to press time there has been no response from either the General Secretary of the GFF or the President. (Michael Benjamin)
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