Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Alpha Utd President angry over unfair ploys by K&S organizers
Howard Lowe
Threatens to pull out of the championships
President of the Alpha Football Club, Odinga Lumumba, is fuming over what he terms impartial and unfair practices by the organizers of the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament. He has since issued a twenty-four hours ultimatum to have the situation rectified, failing which, he has threatened to withdraw his team from the tournament.
That ultimatum expires sometime today.
Lumumba said that the crux of the dispute centers on the Saturday encounter between his club and Conquerors. Initially, the two teams were booked to face off at the National Stadium Providence until he received a correspondence from the organizers stating that the match would now be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground (MSC).
Lumumba said that the Pele/Guyana Defence Force encounter that was originally booked for the MSC Ground was re-sited to the Providence National Stadium. He feels that this is a clear sign of favouritism demonstrated by the organizers. He has since dispatched a letter to the K&S duo, Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major with a carbon copy to the executives of the Guyana Football Federation seeking an audience with both parties to have the situation rectified. Lumumba said that up to the time of convening the press conference he had received no reply to his letter.
“This is highly unacceptable,” Lumumba fumed. “Alpha Utd has been the most dominant team locally for quite sometime now and all we are asking is for a little respect,” he ranted. The irate Lumumba further stated that his players would be present at the Providence Stadium on Boxing Day to engage the Conquerors FC.
Quizzed on whether he is willing to recant his decision should the K&S organizers present a foolproof reason for the abrupt change, Lumumba sarcastically responded, “Yes, I am willing to understand their position if they tell me that snow is going to fall at the Stadium.”
Odinga Lumumba
Captain of the Alpha United team, Howard Lowe shared the head table with his President and voiced his displeasure at the shabby way his team was treated. He said that his men had opposed Grove Hi Tech at the MSC Ground in their first match and had won handsomely by a 7-1 margin. Lowe said that his men were looking forward to displaying their wares at the Providence Stadium. He feels that it is just fair that the other teams enjoy some of the spotlight at the nation’s premiere venue.
The captain reminded the media corps that Pele had played their opening match at the Providence Stadium and it is only fair to rotate the venue. “It seems that the organizers have already picked a winner for the championships and are demonstrating a heavy bias towards other teams,” Lowe opined.
At that point, Odinga issued a challenge to the players of Pele FC. “We will meet, maybe in the finals, but whenever it occurs the Alpha United team will destroy you!” The Alpha United boss subsequently highlighted the numerous tournaments that his team had won over recent times.
Alpha United won the 2007 edition of the tournament but failed to replicate that feat last year. Pele coasted to victory on the back of a lone goal off the boot of striker Gerald Whittington to capture the honours last year.
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