Latest update September 21st, 2026 10:01 AM
Letter to the Sports Editor…Is all well financially with the GFF?
Dear Sir,
When Mr. Colin Klass, former president, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) had assumed the presidency of the then Guyana Football Association (GFA); following the 1987 fiasco, with the absconding of numerous players from the senior national team, the entire executive had to resign, after the Commission of Enquiry had presented it findings. Needless to say, that the Klass led administration prior to assuming office, knew upfront of an inherent debt. As such the Finance Committee immediately went to work, exploring various fund-raising ventures towards debt liquidation! The first of which was a fund-raising dinner, costing a $1,000 a plate held at the famous Pegasus International Hotel. While it was a resounding success, on more than one occasion I was forced to comment publicly that, “The fund-raising venture should not be used as a catalyst towards enhancing one’s position in pursuit of re-election”!
Editor, of course after a while the publications of those letters had to cease forthwith, since it was illogical for justification, rather what was needed was “aims and objectives” towards propelling the sport forward; encompassing total development in the areas of administration, coaching and refereeing.
Meanwhile, as time progressed, various courses, seminars and workshops were held under the auspices of CFU, CONCACAF, FIFA and the GOA.
Fast forward to 2014 and what situation exists? A recurring decimal from the GFF President, an inherent debt of $30,000,000! Editor, the individual must have known that fundraising ventures along with cost cutting measures had to be a front burner issue! But extremely in the opposite the debt has grown, with stipends being increased by a whopping 300%! What is most amazing is a Committee Member, who used to frequent the Secretariat on a daily basis, but has since ceased, due to a cash-strapped situation. This is primarily due to the non-payments of travelling allowance, occasional accommodation and meal allowances! Can this be construed as the plundering of scarce financial resources?
Within the statutes of FIFA, is it permissible to have a national federation executive functioning with just two individuals? Definitely not! But with the non-disclosure publicly of a Corruption Report on voting of the World Cup awards, vowing that it be kept a secret, FIFA’s top brass in its infinite wisdom will be forced to act at some juncture in the GFF’s situation (sic). Suffice it to say that insularity still exists within CFU and CONCACAF, with their prolonged silence and non-pronouncement. With employees being paid late constantly, along with half month salaries in some instances, it would be interesting to know if monthly stipends are still being paid! Is all well financially with the GFF?
Lester Sealey
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