Letters to the Sports Editor…Nothing unusual with GDF withdrawal

Dec 30, 2011 Sports

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Dear Sir,
I hasten to respond to an article in your publication 20-12-11 pertaining to the withdrawal of the GDF Football Club, from the GFA/Banks DIH Knockout Tournament, and their subsequent suspension by the Georgetown Football Association from all Football related activities under the auspices of the parent body (GFA).
However, before I divulge the harsh but sad realities of the Army’s withdrawal and the adverse public effect of their suspension that can be deemed as unconstitutional, since the article has failed to outline if an Emergency Executive Meeting was convened to deal specifically with the suspension of GDF.
Was a quorum present, and who was the Chairman? Protocol would dictate that the GFA’s President, who is also the President of GDF FC, would have had to recuse himself from the meeting, as a conflict of interest would have developed. Further, for the public’s information and guidance GDF, Police and UG despite being affiliates of the GFA are all national institutions that under the current circumstance would be obliged to remain neutral. Hence, the decision of withdrawal!
It must also be taken into serious consideration the chain of command of the GDF, which (co) incidentally begins with His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, in his capacity as Commander –in –Chief of the Armed Forces; Secretary of the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon; Commodore, Gary Best and then downward according to rank before it reaches the Sports Officer and finally the head of the football club or, maybe it could have been done expeditiously from the upper echelon!
Nevertheless, the same chain of command is reversed if GDF have to participate in for instance the CONCACAF Club Championship that would require funding for overseas travel! Within this context none of the three (3) affiliates which in essence should be associates can be equated with any other club.
Since the respective Executive is structured differently and cannot fulfill the criteria of participating in age-limit competitions encompassing Under-11, 13,15,17,19 and 21, unless schools within the areas are adopted for nursery programmes / training.
It may sound a bit surprising to many, but also for public knowledge and guidance, GDF and Police at one time in pursuit of registering a player would have received an automatic transfer, since at the time only bona-fide soldiers and policemen were eligible to play, as such my term of reference “Nothing Unusual “, unlike other clubs.
Maybe, if both Police and UG were not eliminated from the competition they both may have withdrawn as well. Instinctively, I can recall way back in 1997, when the former President of the then GFL, had Mr. Colin Klass decided to relinquish the Presidency, and was attempting to manipulate the electoral system by foisting upon the electorate his choice for the President, the late Ashton Taylor.  The individual at the time was the President of the Pele, and also the national senior coach.
On that ill fated Sunday morning at the GNCB Staff club, the venue for the Annual General Meeting, a split had occurred.
Wherein, in excess of 95% of the clubs walked out the meeting and proceeded to the GFC, for their own meeting of which an Interim Committee was appointed.
It was also worthy to note that only Police and Pele remained at the initial venue. Subsequently, Police was forced to withdraw from the Taylor led faction due to neutrality, despite the friendship between the late Evroy Babb, former Police Sergeant, Klass and Taylor. And so too was GDF with their withdrawal.
After weeks of wrangling a fresh Elections of Office Bearers was called, with Winston Callender  securing the Presidency and myself the Hon. Secretary, the first in three instances I served in that capacity. At the first General Council Meeting both Police and GDF were present, armed with letters of approval, outlining their commitment to participate in all GFL activities thereafter. By the way what is the status of the Police Football Club now?
I, question this since previously at a General Council Meeting of the GFA, I had objected to their name being outlined as an affiliate. My point was affiliation is only granted at an AGM, Half Yearly or an Emergency General Council Meetings, in accordance to the constitutional requirement. Was this done?
Finally, with Devon Millington appearing for Pele, in the Kashif and Shanghai as a loan player, then for his initial club Beacon FC as a legitimate, player, in the Banks sponsored Knockout Tournament, of which Beacon FC had won. It, would be of significant interest to know if the club would be debarred from further participation and the player suspended /sanctioned?
Lester Sealey

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