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GFF steadfast in its quest to repair sport’s image

Oct 16, 2013 Sports

By Rawle Welch
Determined to release Guyana’s football from the uncompromising iron-grip style of governance that characterised the preceding administration, the current executive of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) appears resolute in its quest to chart a new path for the holistic development of the sport.
After taking office following a landmark Electoral Congress on March 12, the Christopher Matthias-led administration has since been engaged in repairing the image of football through a vigorous pursuit for good governance, transparency, inclusivity and accountability and while it is anticipated that mistakes will be made along the way, all signals to date seem to suggest that the Organisation has been able to make significant progress on that journey.
Regrettably, there are still some remnants from the past regime who are clearly opposed to some of the changes that the new administration has embarked on and continue to relentlessly hurl criticisms at the entity, making all kinds of puerile accusations of favouritism and recriminatory practices, but that is to be expected and it is entirely up to the new Body to either remain steadfast in its pursuit to transform the sport’s landscape or submit to the wishes of those with personal agendas.
The Federation, whose term of office will last for two years, in its seven months of control has been able to achieve much in terms of gaining consensus among its affiliates on various governance issues, while also seizing the opportunity to sensitise relevant stakeholders about its programmes to aid in the further development of the game.
The commencement of the Premier League even after the critics felt that members of the corporate community would not have been enthusiastic about affixing their names to the sport is testimony to how well the new dispensation is taking effect, while the continuous outreaches held with member associations, the education of administrators, players and officials and the encouraging turnout of fans, are all indicators of a positive flow within the fraternity.
Add to that the heartening interactions with the Ministry of Sport about a future partnership on the residency of the GOAL Project and other prospective initiatives are testimony of the new direction that the current executive is taking.
Like so many other examples of change, the process will undergo extensive scrutiny and in some cases ridicule, but this is to be expected and providing that the hierarchy stays on course, in a short space of time, all levels of the sport will begin to enjoy success.
It is early days to conclusively pronounce on what legacy the Matthias-led administration will leave whenever they demit office, but what is irrefutable is the fact that when they took the reins of power, they took a bankrupt Federation faced with enormous debt and other awkward challenges and bravely confronted them.
There is still a long journey ahead, but the resolve displayed so far must infuse confidence in member associations, players, corporate entities and supporters in total.
No one should be under any illusion; the road is long and tough, but a sincere commitment by the integral stakeholders should be enough to navigate it.

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