Re: Legitimacy of Voters for the GFF Elections of Office Bearers

Oct 19, 2015 Sports

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Dear Sir,
With the public pronouncement of four (4) out of five (5) Presidential hopefuls for the acclaimed winner’s prize, in the upcoming Electoral Congress of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) which will be held under the auspices of the Normalization Committee, in November 2015, Editor, first and foremost I must compliment the honesty of the GDF’s Coast Guard Commander, John Flores, “dismisses claim of GFF Presidency run (S.N.09.10.15).”
However, for public edification and the records, the current President, Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) was once a Vice President of the Georgetown Football League (GFL), under the Presidency of former President, Colin Klass. With Messrs.: Odinga Lumumba, Alfred King, Rawlston Adams and “new kid on the block”, Commander, A-Division, Clifton Hickens.
By and large, my principled positon and personal perspective is: Within the public elimination process; it is not who is likely to succeed! But rather, who must not be counted as a Presidential hopeful; much less be the President; given their previous “history of woes; failures, lack of vision/foresight; towards ensuring the Association and the nation’s football, can be integrated into the 21st century!
In words of the late Ashton Taylor, a former national player and national coach, “We cannot continue playing stone-age football, aided by a Jurassic style of administration/ leadership”.
With nothing personal against the Commander since I don’t know him personally, or his administrative capabilities, in relation football, hence, my evaluation of his candidacy would be: “Too inexperienced for the Presidency, GFF, channel and focus your energies on the GFA, of which Police FC is an affiliate. Restore, Rebuild, Reorganize and Reclaim the GFA’s image. Establish for the first time ever a Nursery in Police F.C, participating in all youth competitions of the GFA. Develop a female programme! Commander, there are enough schools within close proximity of Police ground; this is most important for the GPF to adopt. In actuality, Hicken’s vision of “My focus is on developing youths” once rightfully implemented, can restore the GFA’s creditability of acquiring meaningful sponsorship!
Meanwhile in relation to MP, Lumumba a radicalized revolutionist, a former 2 times GFA President, Hon. Secretary and President, Alpha United, with more experience than any other Presidential hopeful administratively. The individual’s bid first and foremost will ultimately depend on securing a nomination and seconder! Additionally, the composition of his supporting cast (slate) must be foolproof, compounded by an acceptable manifesto and the wherewithal to reach out to all Associations and Affiliates in campaigning. Would his political acumen aid his cause strategically? Would he be an attentive listener to the views of others? Once these can be achieved Lumumba like the others has a chance.
P.S Alfred King, articulate, astute with an insight into Constitutionality and Parliamentary procedures, the President of the Referees Council have transformed that body over the years, into something meaningful! A candidate in 2011, along with Aubrey “Shanghai” Major and Ivan Persaud, all of whom lost out to eventual but disgraced winner Christopher Matthias, King’s popularity can work well in his favour, which is a plus ahead of the others.
Rawlston Adams, General Manager, Demerara Harbour Bridge, a former Vice-President, under Matthias; Adam’s professionalism as a no-nonsense individual, also articulate, supports documentation rather oral indications “for the records sake”! His resignation began the process for Matthias’ demise and subsequent eviction by FIFA/ CONCACAF, paving the way for the installation of a Normalization Committee. What Rawlston lacks in experience and popularity can definitely be surpassed with his manifesto and composition of his slate. A symbol of “integrity and professionalism”also is befitting Alfred King.
Finally, with the largest association, Georgetown “being caught between a rock and a hard place”! Its descendancy with “supersonic speed” into maladministration, devoid of a structural developmental plan, is in dire need of a metamorphosis; albeit a total rebirth.
As a consequence good sense must prevail in the minds of the electorate towards an infusion of modern ideas and definitely not a transformation into a “launching pad compliments of NASA! In local idioms” Matthias got guts, where is he going”? Can flowery speeches work again? What more does he need to achieve within football administration? Further destruction and additional indebtedness!
Already, the individual is in the history books of the nation’s football, as the only President, both at the GFA and GFF that never served out an entire term. A “vote of no confidence” in 2001 and FIFA ousting in 2014 were both contributory factors! At this crucial juncture, can the sport continue with recycled failures? If so, then former President, Colin Klass must be reinstated and not re-elected! By the way are all of the GFA affiliates houses in order? Which club has nominated Matthias? And who is the seconder, confirming to parliamentary procedures?
By the way the 5 Elite clubs, along with their executive can have no participation in the GFA’s Elections of Office Bearers. Since this would be a conflict of interest; dual affiliation and registration, surely against the norms of FIFA. Speaking of FIFA, does its statues grants voting rights to the Referees Council, Coaches Association and Women’s Association? Have their status received an upgrade from Committee Member/ Association to Affiliate? When did the GFA convene an Emergency General Council Meeting to fill the existing vacancies within its executives? Is Beacons FC still a full-fledged affiliate of the GFA, following its previous poor track record, in conceding walkovers in the most recent GFA Senior Competition?
Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey

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