The National Coach Speaks …WELCOME WAYNE THANK YOU CLINTON AND THE NC

Nov 20, 2015 Sports

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By Jamaal Shabazz
Congrats to new Guyana Football Federation President, Wayne Forde and his executive and appreciation must also go to his challenger Nigel Hughes, both slates giving dignity to the football election process.

Going forward we must remember Wayne Forde is now President of the GFF and that means the entire football fraternity, both those who voted for and those who voted against.
We must however, acknowledge the tremendous work of Clinton Urling and the FIFA appointed Normalization Committee for holding the reins of the GFF, at a most difficult period. Clinton’s team of Karen Pilgrim, Eric Phillips, Tariq Williams, Rabin Chanderpal and Stuart May are worthy of high commendation for turning around a situation of turmoil and conflict, to one of hope and expectation.
Back in 2014, FIFA removed then President Christopher Matthias when it was clear that his tenure could not divorce itself from the calamity of chaos and constant confusion.  Matthias’ tenure saw the national debt doubled despite playing less local and international football, coupled with territorial battles for turf ….regarding hosting local tournaments and constitutional crisis.
The media was riddled with “ghost writers” and “hired hands”, for and against Matthias, while General Council meetings were punctuated with walk outs and a spirit of division and intolerance. This ridicule for the football leadership played out in full view of the public and Guyana’s football was the only loser, until FIFA stepped in with Urling’s appointment.
Matthias’ failure to provide a forum for participation, inclusion and dialogue makes Clinton’s tenure a defining moment in Guyana’s football history.
Two weeks into Clinton’s appointment, my brethren on Facebook hailed him as a “soup drinker”…..

who knew nothing about football. His naivety drew critics, some oblivious to the carnage that existed before his entry.
History will show that love him or hate him, Clinton Urling and the NC brought important stability, transparency and respect to the Guyana football process.
Lest you think this is a paid political announcement let’s examine Clinton Urling and his Normalization Committee’s legacy.
They had an open door policy giving all stakeholders an opportunity to express their concerns, tender for jobs and voice their opinions. And while he was strong enough to make the veto decision his style of inclusion was necessary.
The NC appointed a full time Technical Director for a period of four years with a mandate to develop the grassroots football and coach education.  They revived the national team and Guyana was able to compete in the World Cup qualifiers and despite not advancing under the NC we played 6 international matches in six months ….winning 2, drawing 3 and losing 1. Compare that to his predecessor where Guyana played two international matches in two years, drawing 1 and losing 1 and failing to advance in CFU.
The NC got the FIFA Goal Project up and running so that Guyana’s football could finally get a home. One can understand the value of a football home, when the man called football has been homeless for the last 100 years.
The NC orchestrated the elite league and the best locally based players are back where they belong ….

on the field of play.
The Clinton led NC reduced the GFF debt by half and left a considerable amount of money in the coffers. They fixed the constitution that has been used and misused by mischief makers of Guyana’s football.
In Clinton Urling, I saw a man grow from knowing nothing about football, to one with a vision of governance for how the game should be administered in Concacaf. This transformation in one year, reflects an individual who understands the correlation between proper management, gathering knowledge and the consultative process.
We often butt heads because Jamaal Shabazz needed millions to be spent on the national team programme.  Clinton often had to temper my demand for spending with a sense of thrift and conservatism to suit the resources available to the Federation. Thus his shrewd financial management leaves the new administration with an excellent platform from which to build upon.
Guyana … Guyana … Guyana … one of your failings is you hate to give jack his jacket and Jim his Jim boots. You make too much judgements based on color, creed and race. So forget whether Urling was a PPP or PNC or whatever. Give Clinton Urling his cap whether it is blue, green or red and stand up and applaud the work of the Normalization Committee. This is the maturity our developing nation needs with meritocracy replacing tribalism.
To President Wayne Forde may Allah bless your efforts with the GFF to take the good from the NC’s tenure and learn from whatever errors they may have made.
To the Guyana football fraternity, the fans, coaches, sub associations, players, ghost writers, friends and enemies let us give a total support to the new leadership and all put our hands, to build the Guyana football.
Now that the election war is over let’s heed the words of our elder… the Burning Spear- Throw down your arms and come.
Again respect to Clinton Urling and the NC. On behalf of my adopted country Guyana, we thank you.

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