Fruta Conquerors boss to contest GFF presidency

Oct 23, 2015 Sports

Commits to the restoration of the sport

By Michael Benjamin
Months of intense work to regularize the administration of local football will reach a climax when affiliates of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) convene November 14 next to elect a President to conduct the affairs of the beleaguered sport; the submission of the respective slates expires tomorrow.

Presidential hopeful Wayne Forde (2nd right) poses with Slate members (from left) – Committee member Dion Inniss, 3rd Vice-President Thandi McAllister and 2nd Vice-President- Rawlston Adams yesterday.

Several names have been bandied around as speculations rage of the respective aspirants. Yesterday morning, President of the Fruta Conquerors, Wayne Forde put rest to speculations of his candidacy when he convened a press conference at the Le Meridian, Pegasus Hotel and presented a slate of reputable persons, under the heading, ‘Team Integrity,’ who he believes has the competency, skill and character to occupy the administrative chairs of the GFF and push the sport forward.
Mr. Forde will be contesting the Presidential position while Brigadier Bruce Lovell is named for the 1st Vice President role. Rawleston Adams and Thandi McAllister are spotlighted for the positions of 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents respectively.
“This morning I am joined by my distinguished colleagues to declare our candidacy for the Executive Committee of the GFF,” Mr. Forde boldly stated before releasing his slate. The other aspirant that was named includes current President of the Referees’ Council, Deon Inniss, who has been nominated as a Committee Member.
Mr. Forde said that nominations for the other positions are filed but a decision has been taken to withhold those names until the right time. He boldly stated that his team is a competent one with all the attributes of leaders. “We are ready to embrace the quality of leadership that has for so long eluded us,” he assured.
Mr. Forde admitted that the sport is undergoing turbulent times which has consumed the affiliates and left them feeling helpless but he remains staunch that his team has the expertise to manage the sport and reinstate normalcy among the affiliates.
“Today, I present to you the finest minds and the most respectable professionals, each with a solid record of service, discipline and integrity,” he proclaimed moments after presenting his slate.
Mr. Forde then beseeched the support of the clubs and other stakeholders while assuring them that, “We pledge to serve you with distinction while working prodigiously to restore the image of the sport.
Mr. Adams indicated that he was somewhat reluctant to accept the nomination when he was asked to be on the slate and labeled this on past experiences while serving in a similar position in the GFF.
However, he said that love for the sport coupled with his confidence in ‘Team Integrity’ has been the catalyst for his eventual decision to join the team. He committed to staunch service once he receives the nod from the electorate.
Earlier, Secretary of Fruta Conquerors, Daniel Thomas, spoke highly of Mr. Forde and his vision for the game. “He has traveled the length and breadth of Guyana, accompanied by members of his team, quietly listening to the issues affecting the clubs and associations and has been able to tap into some of the best minds to accompany him on these journeys,” said Mr. Thomas.
He labeled the team members as persons of substance and character that have bonded together towards the common cause of football development. Speaking directly to the electorate, Mr. Thomas said, “For too long our beloved game has been blighted by poor administration, lack of accountability, infighting, slander, malicious bickering and threats to life among other things. We must have the courage to unshackle ourselves from the past and be prepared to mold and forge a new era and Mr. Forde possesses all of the attributes to instigate such changes,” exhorted Mr. Thomas.