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Klass addresses pertinent issues
At odds with recent reports
Colin Klass
By Rawle Welch
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass addressed some pertinent issues shortly after extending congratulations to the victorious national team that recently won the Suriname Independence Anniversary Tournament which was staged in the neighbouring Republic.
Klass told Kaieteur Sport that the team’s performance was historic when they became the first foreign country to win the tournament, an achievement he credited to the running of the FIFA ‘Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF’ National League which allowed the players the luxury of playing at a consistently high level hence their readiness and preparedness.
“I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Banks DIH, Church’s Chicken and of course the ‘Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF Programme’ sponsors who’ve significantly contributed to the team’s preparedness through the League,” Klass pointed out.
He said they’ve all contributed overwhelmingly to the League and they’re more convinced now that it must be sustained and developed to the point where it can become a full fledged Professional League to accommodate both male and female teams.
Rules and Regulations
Commenting on recent reports of the GFF’s perceived lack of co-operation with other relevant stakeholders in the promotion of the sport, Klass informed that contrary to what is being peddled in the media, Rules and Regulations and By-Laws that govern the game are established by an International Board and regulated by FIFA and it is expected that the 208 affiliates must abide by those rules.
“The things that the GFF seek to enforce is as a direct result of being the custodian of the local football as mandated by FIFA and is not on a personal level as advocated by some persons,” Klass said. He added that the rules prohibit any attempt to do any other business and they must be applied throughout the world with the same consistency and if Guyana is going to remain a part of FIFA, CONCACAF and the CFU we will have to continue to abide by those regulations.
He advised those who attempt to deceive the general public to seek clarification on the rules and regulations that govern the sport, before making statements that could ultimately damage the image of the game.
Klass informed that certain policies are approved by the General Council and then executed by the GFF Executive and that is to ensure that they discharge accurately as a member of FIFA the rules it sets out.
He reminded that GFF’s objectives are to develop, promote, control and regulate the sport of football in all its forms throughout Guyana which also includes supervising all friendly matches as well.
Levy fees
Klass said that a levy fee is standard machinery through which the Federation gets money to develop the game. “We have to pay levy fees to FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU which is mandatory as an affiliate,” Klass notified.
He said that those fees are distributed to its affiliate members to continue the development of the sport here. “That has been the policy of the GFF which was established by the General Council many, many years ago.”
Audited Statement
“Every year, the GFF distributes its audited statement to the Guyana Olympic Association, the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sport and opposite to what was reported earlier, we had done that already.
As a matter of fact, we’ve since sent another copy of the document to the Minister recently.”
Indiscipline
“We at the GFF fully condemn the acts of indiscipline and violence and coming out of the recent fiasco involving a fan and members of the Riddim Squad team, I think that the General Council have really sent a strong message and that is only the first step of other forms of correcting such behaviour at games,” Klass reported.
He added that clubs, players and spectators have a responsibility to behave in a disciplined manner and the GFF will be taking a firm stance should similar situations arise in the future with the aim of eradicating it totally.
Such behaviour according to the President only serves to destroy all the efforts made to improve the image of the game here.
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