GFF President, Wayne Forde, contests CFU Executive position

Jul 16, 2016 Sports

…Leaves for XXXIX Caribbean Football Union Ordinary Congress

By Michael Benjamin

Encouraged by the vote of confidence of local football affiliates that recently propelled him into the seat of President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) late last year, incumbent, Wayne Forde, has extended his ambitions further afield and will aspire for the position of one of the 4 executive committee members when the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) convenes for the XXXIX Caribbean Football Union Ordinary Congress on July 23, 2016 in Miami, Florida, USA.
Forde is one of nine individuals who will be contesting for four available positions in what is expected to be a stiff battle to attain one of the spots. Despite this, the newly elected (GFF) boss is confident of winning the post so as to enhance the fortunes of local ball weavers.
Forde is preparing to travel to the function and spared some time to speak with Kaieteur Sport at his Thomas Street office on Thursday afternoon. He admitted that the competition is indeed stiff but said that his decision to contest the post was encouraged by several influential persons within the other member associations/federations. “As a matter of fact those persons were willing to support me for the Presidential seat,” explained Forde. He said that he weighed the pros and cons and decided against contesting the top post as such a decision would distract him from the arduous task of rebuilding local football.
“My sole purpose for seeking office is to give Guyana a strong voice and to use my influence to pioneer governance policies that will create greater balance and access to opportunities to all members of the CFU family,” Forde explained.
He said that the on field performance of the (local) senior football team over the past few years while competing against the other nations has been credible. Notwithstanding, he notes that the development of the local infrastructure is somewhat lagging.
“I believe the main reason for this is because Guyana never had a significant voice on the CFU executive committee to discuss its goals and objectives and this significantly inhibited our growth as a football nation,” Forde said.
There were other factors that aided in Forde’s decision to contest the post; “I have noted opportunities for development being inequitably distributed which, in essence, undermined the pursuit of genuine unity within the CFU family.” He went on to explain that his main purpose for seeking office is to strengthen the chances of local ball weavers on the international platform.
Forde strengthened his view by pointing out that all of the Caribbean countries that vied for the World Cup had had representatives on the CFU committee. These countries included Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti.
Amidst such lofty ambitions Forde is not oblivious to the views of the critics that suggest personal aggrandizement on his part. “This is not really about Wayne Forde,” he emphatically pronounced; “this is more about representing the local football fraternity and the players in a manner that they deserve at this level,” he exhorted.
Currently, the incumbent President is Gordon Derrick and reports are that he will seek another four-year mandate.
His strongest challengers are President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, David John-Williams, and Hillaren Frederick, President of the United States Virgin Islands Football Association.
Those vying for the 1st Vice President position are Grenadian, Cheney Joseph and Osiris Guzman of the Dominican Republic while Rignaal Francisca (Curacao) and Anton Sealy (Bahamas) are vying for the 2nd Vice President position.
Fabrice Baly (St. Martin) and Lyndon Cooper (St. Lucia) are vying for the 3rd Vice President position while Raymond Anderson (Jamaica), Richard Dijkhoff (Aruba) and Hillaren Frederick (USVI) are contesting the 4th Vice President position.
Forde’s rivals for the position of Executive Committee Members are Bruce Blake (Cayman Islands), Vernold Coombs (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Hillaren Frederick (USVI), Randolph Harris (Barbados), Eric Labrador (Puerto Rico), Alain Mijdt (French Guiana), Maurice Victoire (Martinique) and Jeaninne Wong Loi Sing (Bonaire).

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