Letter to the Sports Editor…Vibrant club executive and meaningful association representation is needed in football

May 13, 2012 Sports

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Dear Editor,
Reference is hereby made to the above caption as it relates to a letter captioned “The government should become involved in football just as it has in cricket” by Richard Martin D Prince, in your newspaper publication of 06-04-12.  Editor, while Mr. Prince is free to express his own view (s) publicly, which is his constitutional and democratic right, so, too, is mine which I expect to be entertained for my rebuttals and proposals/recommendations.
Firstly, the statutes of FIFA are more concise with non-governmental interference, in the product of football. While apart from being the world’s largest spectator sport; also is compassionate and emotional, in addition to having more affiliates globally than any other sport. Further, the statutes of FIFA are also concise on “binding decisions being revocable by a Court of Law”.
Secondly, the ICC’s policy as it relates to non- governmental inference isn’t legally constituted and binding as yet, since a time frame has been set aside for implementation and subsequent enactment.  So, in essence there is no comparison!
Thirdly, within the context of local football, various courses; seminars and workshops were held in the areas of administration, coaching, refereeing, marketing, nutrition, physiotherapy, stadium management and security among others all of which were under the auspices of FIFA. Is the same applicable to cricket via the ICC, along with the annual subvention of USD $250,000?
Fourthly, with the significant investment made over the years by FIFA, overlooked by CONCACAF and CFU, how many associations, affiliates and clubs have shown improvement? At the end of the day examples are always better than precepts!
Finally, while I would agree that they were/are various shortcomings in the administration of football locally along with the disgraceful Training Facility under the FIFA Goal Project, that has funding amounting to USD $400,000 and is still goalless after a few years. This still is not a catalyst for the government to appoint an IMC.  Rather, what should be the pertinent issue is for the clubs that are efficiently run in the respective associations to formulate comprehensive plans for transparency and proper accountability of the annual FIFA subvention, of which clubs must be furnished with a copy of the Audited Annual Financial Report, via their associations.
Wherein apart from rental of offices in association; payment of a staff and utility bills, what else is compatible, more so when non-productivity exists in some associations? To the extent that there is no structured development encompassing competitions at under-11, -13, -15, -17, -19, -21 and -23!  As a consequence and in all due fairness to the sport locally, the “riot act” in relation to loss of membership and non-funding must be read out to the delinquents!
And two timely reminders to my friend Richard, kindly ascertain when a local national team had defeated Venezuela in the 80’s at the GDF Ground, Camp Ayangana, if the correct score was 12-0! And if indeed it was a Venezuelan national team, or a provincial lineup? And from an administrative perspective, during your tenure as President, Victoria Kings, who upon winning the 12thedition of the Annual Kashif and Shanghai K.O, 2001-02, at the MSC ground, Linden, the same year the majestic Kings couldn’t have found the entrance fee of $50,000 to participate in the CFU Club Championship, after carting the winner’s prize of $500,000.
Do we still need a governmental involvement with an IMC? Or rather a collective voice with a “vote of no confidence” providing cronyism, nepotism, intellectual dishonesty and unprofessionalism can be highlighted!
And person(s) of Prince’s ilk remain deeply rooted in the stands! Since his tenure at the helm of Victoria Kings, contributed significantly, to the continued under-development of football nationally! The club had failed in its efforts for sustained progress and stability, due to a lack of an effective and structured nursery programme, along with the requisite leadership. But rather had preferred to lure players away from their initial clubs with pledges of financial remunerations.
By the way, did the Kings on an annual basis submit a financial statement to their governing body along with the minutes of its AGM?
By relevant comparison during my tenure as Secretary, Fruta Conquerors, the club was and still maintains its sound nursery development programme. In addition to the relevant documentation i.e. Financial Statement, Minutes, Competitions Reports and most importantly a standard procedure in the distribution of prize monies won, with the players receiving 70% and the club 30%!
Respectfully Yours,
Lester Sealey.

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