Letter to the Sports Editor…Personal self-aggrandizement has taken precedence over Football Administration

Nov 25, 2014 Sports

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Dear Sir,
Editor, I was extremely perturbed but somehow not surprised to have read in your newspapers (KN 13-11-14) publication of a letter captioned “Guyana’s Football needs a Tsunami to save us from these inept Administrators” by Daniel Stern.
Wherein, from the public disclosure within the letter’s content; it remains a sad day for the sport that a General Council Meeting can be conducted in such a despicable and unprofessional manner.  From all indications this is what transpired on 07-11-14.
However, with time and space definitely not at my disposal to offer an infinite analysis, a few pertinent issues listed hereunder urgently needs attention.
I.    The venue of the meeting should have been disclosed, in addition to Mr. Stern’s status. Did the meeting confirm to the requirements of how meetings are conducted i.e. was a quorum present?
II.    Was an agenda in place?
III.    Did the President/Chairman attempt to maintain some semblance of social decorum, pertaining to individuals’ immoral conduct? i.e. “How much an individual gains financially as against the GFA’s losses of $23,000,000″!
Editor, within this “crystal clear” concept of avarice, corruption, greed and ineptitude, it must be of utmost priority that the Normalization Committee, hastily review the GFA’s application of seeking approval to host the year-end knock out tournament. Precedence must be taken to address this issue, rather than applying to host a tournament for individual financial gains. (Was there a common consensus from the remaining clubs?).
Further with the GFA and other of its ilk in dire need of “constitutional reform/upgrade”, nevertheless it remains incumbent upon associations on an annual basis to submit to the GFF, a written programme of its seasonal activities. Automatically, this transcends into the GFF, compiling and circulating its annual national calendar of activities.
Whereas, all associations in the past had to conclude their respective season by October, the Annual Mayor’s Cup KO by tradition was played in November followed by the Annual Kashif & Shanghai KO, from the second week in December and concluding on January 1st.  Also it must be noted that with the respective associations concluding their season in October paved the way for selection of its best clubs to participate in both competitions. Additionally, the Fruta Conquerors 16 teams KO/Namilco sponsored, along with the WDFA Sweet 16 KO also had a place in the GFF’s Annual Calender.
Who or what brought about the change? Since “it takes two hands to clap”, the GFF under the Presidency of Former President (a.g) Franklin Wilson, could have allowed the participation of GFA affiliates, who were deemed ineligible at the time due to an injunction filed in the High Court, by the GFA Executive. While the three (3) teams that participated was as a result of their participation in the GFF National League, which was automatic.  As a consequence the GFA was empowered to coordinate a tournament for its marginalized affiliates that reaped meaningful success. The following year it was expanded, involving teams from outside of its jurisdiction with additional success. Thereafter with Matthias’ ascendency to the GFF’s presidency, what followed after was a catastrophe. A deficit of $23,000,000, unpaid bills, perks for the boys and disgruntlement.
So how on God’s earth, can the GFA Executive submit a proposal to host a year-end tournament? A timely reminder! “The keeper of Israel doesn’t sleep or slumber”. With this in mind it remains incumbent upon the Normalization Committee, to instill some level of normalcy to the scenario. And by justifiably doing so request a written copy of Minutes of the General Council Meeting (07-11-14). In addition to the GFA and all other Associations Calendar of Activities for the 2014 season, this would be entailed if the year-end tournament was within their respective schedule.
Finally, a timely reminder, by tradition the GFF’s season used to commence in September and culminate in February, with a break in January. Over the years or more over under Matthias’ stewardship was this trend continued? With the Kashif and Shanghai Organization’s application to host its annual year-end tournament, coinciding with their 25th Anniversary, the Normalization Committee should seriously consider at this crucial juncture, which tournament is best suited for the football starved fans that needs to see quality football and competent organizing and definitely not mediocrity and inept administrative policies.
Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey

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