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The football community has suffered for too many years

Apr 11, 2013 Sports

 

 

By Rawle Welch
In a recent article, I had reason to remind a critic of mine that in life the process of learning is continual, meaning that even as we get older, there is still that craving and in some instances the need to learn more.
I say this because even though I’ve been in the media for some time, there are a lot of things about the profession and in the wider sphere of life that I still need to know about.
Likewise, there are quite a few writers whose uncomplicated articles I really enjoy since they are usually very edifying and motivating.
One of them is Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee Brian Lewis, whose stirring articles have been an inspiration to me.
Lewis writing in the Tuesday’s issue of the Trinidad Guardian under the caption ‘Sport makes a positive difference’ spoke of some of the challenges that face sport, while offering some solutions to those challenges.
However, there was a particular piece in the article that caught my attention, since I found it strikingly related to the current situation here.
Two of the major sport disciplines in Guyana – football and cricket – have been plagued by accusations of financial wrongdoing which have left many followers and stakeholders frustrated and understandably reluctant to offer their support.
Lewis in his article gave a quote from Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State, during a visit he made to Africa in June 2001. According to Lewis, during Powell’s visit he told African leaders who appealed to him for American investment dollars, that they needed to change their ways.
Why?  Powell told them, “Money does not go where it will not be safe, where it will not draw a return, and where people are not confident.” He further advised that it was the responsibility of the leaders to create the environment that will build confidence and trust. The suggestion Powell offered was clear, it had to be proactive and from within. Moving forward meant acknowledging that the solution is within the leaders themselves.
How applicable to our own situation that haunts the current executive of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) who continually refuse to be financially accountable, but still want to hold the reins of power.
The eminent US diplomat was right in his pronouncement and as we head to the polls tomorrow to elect a new Football Federation President, those with the mandate to vote ought to pay heed to the instructive words of none other than a man whose views are respected worldwide.
The football community has suffered for too many years under leadership that has ignored opposing views and paid scant regard for accountability and the welfare of players.
To not be able to simply tell this nation the extent of the agreement to switch the Mexico game and to give a full account about the financial gains, unmistakably represents what the GFF is and always has been.
The obvious solution to this protracted problem is to vote them out of office and I’ve advocated in previous articles there should be no survivors.
No one will be inclined to substantially support the GFF should remnants of the current executive somehow survive, since as Powell said, “Money does not go where it will not be safe, where it will not draw a return, and where people are not confident.”

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