What is really going on?

May 14, 2014 Sports

By Rawle Welch
Aficionados wherever you could find them are asking the same question, what is really going on with the two biggest sports in Guyana, namely cricket and football. They are asking what it is about these two disciplines that is creating so much friction among its administrators and ultimately hampering their development.
Earlier in the year, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) had cause to inflict severe bans on certain high ranking officials of the Upper Demerera Football Association for actions it deemed as insubordinate to a ruling made by the Body, and now the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is threatening to act if the upcoming Independence T20 Cup organised by the Berbice Cricket Board goes ahead, since the event has not gained its approval.
In both instances, the acts of defiance by the affiliates are quite noticeable, and while both may have compelling reasons for their actions and pronouncements, the fact that they are willing to challenge the local governing bodies’ decisions must be seen as a paradigm shift from the status quo.
The danger, though, is that their respective stances could put at risk the future of the players who are usually placed in the precarious position of demonstrating their allegiance to one party or the other.
The current situation in both sports is quite alarming and regrettably unhelpful for their respective advancements, while the act by many corporate entities not to become embroiled in the melee is hurting the marketability and visibility of the two disciplines.
Football, which enjoyed admirable crowd support at any level, has been fairly affected, while cricket, except for the presence of regional and international stars, has suffered badly from the negative consequences of the ongoing squabbles among its administrators.
But what could be causing this ugly scenario to play its hand in full view of the public?
What is obvious is the fact that persons within the respective administrations and those harbouring ambitions to get into office seem unmindful of the harm being done to the careers of those currently engaged in the sport, while those with aspirations to get involved see the present situation as a turn-off.
While it may seem far-fetched and totally unrelated to sport, the Arab Spring phenomenon clearly brought a new perspective to the power of protests, and even sport administrators should be attentive to the 2011 Egypt uprising.
The similarity here is that many of these administrators who feel that they are well-entrenched and are protected by loyals, could very well follow the same path of the Muburak family, being ousted from power.
As some of the studies on the uprising concluded, the youths were fed up with the uncaring attitude of the ‘old guard’ and with the increased absence of real opportunities to make a decent living, they took matters into their own hands and the rest is history.
Our youths are in dire need of alternatives and if the academic world or the traditional working environment is limited or beyond their capability, then sport becomes the next viable option. So if this avenue continues to be bogged down in chaos and strife, then the solution is to effect change.
While the two disciplines remain the best and obvious examples of rebellion, there are many others that are facing similar problems, but so far the powers that be have been able to undermine threats of revolt.
The previous GFF administration paid the price for its repressive style of governance at its Electoral Congress, and even though the current GCB was able to survive many of the challenges it faced from external forces, it may be sensible for them to create an avenue for dialogue, since it seems the concern about its legitimacy is still a hot topic.
The world is rapidly changing, social networking and other media to exchange analyses and ideas are being exploited like never before, so administrators, whoever you are, you’d better be mindful of the advances.
Today, people are no longer afraid to challenge the status quo, especially if it is not serving the interest of the masses.

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