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Dr Haynes/’Sparrow’ Griffith disassociates themselves from football imbroglio
Joseph Haynes
As the race for occupancy at the helm of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) gains momentum, two football officials have distanced themselves from any desire to contest positions in the organisation.
GFF Competitions Coordinator, Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith and President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), Dr JOF Haynes has stated categorically that they have not, and are not interested in occupying any executive position in the GFF. Both gentlemen were responding to an article appearing in another section of the media that suggested that they have been nominated and were contesting for various positions in the GFF when the imminent Annual General Meeting is held next month.
Griffith said that on April 27 last he was informed by a number of persons who attended a General Council Meeting of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) that he was nominated for the position of Organising Secretary of the GFF.
Mr. Griffith further said that he informed the group that he was not interested in contesting for any office within the GFF since he was employed with the entity and it would be imprudent to contest for an elected position.
Lawrence Griffith
“I said that if I nurture any such ambition I would have had to resign from my current position and that I had no intention of doing so, intimated Griffith. He also said that he had had a discussion with the President of the GFA, Mr. Vernon Burnett who had agreed to support his stance.
Mr. Griffith said that he was of the belief that the matter was rested. However, the article published yesterday has suggested that he is seeking election to an executive position. He said that he wishes to disassociate himself from the issue.
“It is with utter dismay and shock that I read the report in the Stabroek News Newspapers that I have accepted a nomination for the post of Assistant Secretary/Treasurer by the GFA,” said Griffith. “I would like to make it categorically clear that I am not interested in any elected position now, or in the foreseeable future,” he continued. ”My foremost ambition is to see football develop and played in a fair manner. I am comfortable working with the GFF as the Competitions Coordinator,” exhorted Griffith. He said that he is also a FIFA and FA trained referee instructor as well as a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) referee/assessor, positions he is comfortable with. “I enjoy my current functions and will continue to do so until the powers that be think otherwise,” he said.
The other principal involved, Dr JOF Haynes is also adamant that at no time has he signaled an intention to contest any position in the GFF. “I have seen an article in the Stabroek News on April 29 last that suggested that the GFA has proposed my nomination for the post of Vice President of the GFF but while I am honoured to know that persons view me as a candidate fit to serve in that capacity, as far as I am aware the former organisation does not currently have any legal status within the GFF and cannot make such a nomination,” asserted Mr. Haynes.
He also said that he was approached by representatives of some clubs around Georgetown to contest the position but has signaled a disinterest.
Mr. Haynes said that he had informed the group that the GFA was an illegal entity and any nomination by them would subsequently constitute an illegality.
“I would strongly suggest that the GFA seeks to resolve those outstanding issues with the GFF as well as the constitutional matter tabled by Western Tigers FC before contemplating any affirmative role in the GFF elections,” posited Dr Haynes.
He closed by reminding that, “The GFF is the custodian for all football in Guyana and that must be respected.”
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