Guyana Football Federation Presidential race...Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major avails his expertise towards the sport’s advancement

Guyana Football Federation Presidential race…Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major avails his expertise towards the sport’s advancement

Mar 17, 2013 Sports

By Michael Benjamin

It started as an intense battle with several wannabes, all with lofty ambitions, campaigning ardently to ascend to the prestigious seat of President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) when those elections are held April 12 next.
Sadly, it seems that the stringent criteria of securing a nominator as well as two supporting votes has crippled the hopes of several candidates and as the ‘D Day’ draws closer, the aspirants have dwindled considerably and only three aspirants have managed to satisfy the criterion to contest for the post.

Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major

Christopher Mathias have received overwhelming support from the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and seconded by the East Coast Football Association. Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Alfred King, has received votes of confidence from the Referees’ Council and the East Bank Football Association, while Major enjoys support from two entities, the West Bank Football Association and the National Women’s Football Association.
The three candidates have since intensified efforts to positively influence the electorate and convince voters that they are the best choice for the prestigious position.
One day after he had secured nomination, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major is exuding confidence and already he is making projections towards the development of the sport. Noted for his administrative prowess that transformed the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament from a small four team tournament to a gigantic national spectacle, Mayor, also a Vice President of the GFF with responsibility for organizing, feels that he has what it takes to transform the sport to international realms while improving the fortunes of local ball weavers.
He is cognizant that his position as a Director within the K&S football organization could be deemed conflicting with his aspirations and has already initiated the process to nullify such an anomaly.
Moments before engaging in this discussion he had dispatched a correspondence to Mr. Mohammad and carbon copied to the GFF, informing of his resignation from that position.
Having adhered to such protocol, Mr. Major is ready to ascend to the GFF Presidential seat and feels that his chances are as good as any. Already, he has managed to impress some of the major stakeholders with his plans and projections and has received confidence votes from several voting entities.
Initially Mr. Major had been a part of the Troy Cadogan slate but the latter individual has since retracted from the process because of pressing work commitments thus paving the way for Major’s elevation.
His slate incorporates such experts as Rawleston Adams, Aaron Fraser and Vanessa Dickenson. Mr. Cadogan has also pledged his unswerving support from a corporate and other relevant levels.
Consequently, Major has already envisaged a first step towards the revamping of the fraternity. “I believe the major impediment towards the sport’s advancement is the reluctance and/or the inability of key personnel to operate from a common position,” he opines. As such he plans to initiate an all inclusive strategy where the talent of all stakeholders would be utilized to achieve the common goal. “Once we realize that you have something to offer towards the forward movement of the sport we will entertain your input,” assured Major.
He believes that too many people enter the sport with personal agendas and to derive personal gains. “Such attitudes stymie the developmental process and compromise the development of football,” exhorted Major.
Major is also cognizant that two other aspirants, Mathias and Alfred, are in the race but he says that he is unperturbed. “They will obviously present their strategies but to my mind I have a foolproof plan that will encompass the input of all stakeholders and I am promoting that idea,” said Major. He said that at the end of the day, irrespective of who comes out victorious, the will to work as a united force towards the development of the sport is paramount to any selfish agenda.
Touching on the all important issue of corporate support, Mr. Major said that he realizes the competitiveness of two of the biggest beverage companies, Ansa McAl and Banks DIH Ltd. He feels that the advertising pie is large enough to accommodate all and sundry but there must be a high level of corporation and understanding among all parties. He said that discussions will be necessary to broker an amicable deal so that everyone could enjoy a part of the spoils. “Irrespective of the size of the advertising cake, there must be consensus among the various players that dictates a reasonable formula that all stakeholders could benefit,” advocates Mr. Major.
The dye has been cast; the clock is ticking away the seconds and each aspirant is working diligently to clinch the required votes to ascend to the prestigious position. Amidst it all Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major believes that he has the requisite tools supported by the will to clinch the most prestigious prize in local football. Time will tell!