Letter to the Sports Editor…It’s more than politics that Dover was bypassed

Aug 21, 2014 Sports

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Dear Sir,
An article appearing in (S.N. 14.08.14) by Duncan Saul captioned “Dover says he was bypassed because of politics”. Editor, indeed it has attracted my attention, to the extent that as a layman with a vested interest towards envisaging. “One good day football in Guyana would be reflective of true and meaningful development, much to the satisfaction of all and sundry, that made immense contributions over years unrewarded”.
However, with a change in the administration of the sport nationally in April, 2013 following the Elections of Office Bearers at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Football Federation, definitely, I would have thought that nepotism and incompetence; would have been things of the past. And in the new dispensation of the sport, a fresh paradigm would have evolved! But rather it’s just “old wine in new skins”, with a step further “subservience to the president, aided by “talk name” as a guarantee for elevation. This I say unapologetically and unreservedly, since publicly on more than one occasion the recently appointed senior national head coach, Denzil “Hunky Brains” Thompson said to me, in a pleading tone of voice. “Please leave Matthias alone, stop attacking him in the papers”.
My spontaneous response entailed “Brains”, my mission is public edification and not character assassination, or personality clashes. I write how I see things and Matthias’ numerous publicity stunts in the papers, offer no solution for the sport’s well being and meaningful development! So, in actuality Thompson’s appointment as the head coach comes as no surprise, a justifiable reward for his allegiance to the GFF’s boss, in addition to his personal ambition over the years. Instinctively, I can recall in the early 90’s I had reason to duly inform Thompson that “his experience in the area of goalkeeping, as a former national goalkeeper would serve the sport well. Since automatically he would be first choice as the national goalkeeper trainer/instructor”.
Editor, this of course would be unchallenged and undisputed. And with the rightful self-edification; attendance at international courses; along with coordinating local clinics, which had actually started during Troy Mendonca’s tenure as President, GFA, surely, this would have gone a far way for Brains to eventually become a certified and licensed CONCACAF Goalkeeping Instructor!
But, empathically, no! Brother Thompson, in pursuit of his theological studies, to become a pastor, still had his eyes on becoming a national head coach. So desperate was he that also in the 90’s to my recollection the sport had its first taste of plagiarism compliments of him, while it repeated itself in 2013 at the behest of Matthias, in his campaign manifesto.
Coincidentally, they both have something in common, since in both instances a FIFA document was used. The latter was a purported developmental plan, encompassing the essential components of the game. Nevertheless, the former was more concise with excerpts extracted from a FIFA Futuro Coaching/Training Manual which was submitted to the then Guyana Football Association (GFA) unsigned but as a Thompson document. At the time I was the Secretary, Fruta Conquerors, with the coach being Deryck Whyte. And in unison we forewarned Klass, about circulating the document, which apart from being an element of dishonesty, was also in breach of the copyright laws by FIFA standards. In the end good sense prevailed.
Finally, my heartiest congratulations to “Hunky Brains” for his achievement, despite the dubiousness, and it’s my sincere desire that his coaching certificate(s) from Brazil is submitted to the GFF for scrutiny, with no excuses. Since the coaching institution still stands and even if it’s in Portuguese, I can arrange for the translation. “Let the truth be revealed”.
Meanwhile, did any Committee in conjunction with the Coaches Association, sit for deliberations ahead of the relevant appointments? What criteria were utilized? Was/Is certification a factor for appointments/selections? Is the capable hand that local football is now in remains retrograde that individuals, who never functioned meaningfully at the junior level automatically is appointed/selected to the seniors?
With the group six (6) playoffs slated for St. Kitts & Nevis, from 3rd September- 7th September, 2014 involving the host, Dominica, St. Lucia and Guyana, the GFF selected an initial squad of 30 players. Twenty (20) alone emanate from the GFA, reflective of 60%; 5 from the WDFA; and 2 unattached and surprisingly not 1 each from the BFA and EBFA!
I, shudder to accept that emphasis is being placed more on youth, rather than experience, or a blend of both! But strangely with no association, apart from the EBFA, along with the GFF having any level of activity domestically, how well will the team fare with 2 weeks of preparation ahead of departure? Compounded by the fact that a lot of the GFA players, especially from Alpha United cannot command a place in the club’s starting XI!
However, a timely reminder Wiggy, as the President, Coaches Association, the unanimous decision to support the “Vote of no Confidence: against the GFF President, automatically meant that your tenure as senior national head coach would have come to an (in) glorious end! So, are you surprised by the pronouncement? Moreover, with Matthias failing to honour his pre-electoral pledge of collaborating with the Coaches Association towards enhancing the level of certification and continued development. Should this august body now bear the brunt of Matthias’ pettiness?
Lester Sealey

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