Latest update March 21st, 2025 7:03 AM
Jan 03, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
I have stayed silent up to this point because I wanted to see how things would play out. I knew K. Juman Yassin would have won the presidency of the Guyana Olympics Association and that he could have done that without help. In fact all during the criticism he received, he stayed honourable. Now that he has won, I want to express how I feel. The catalyst against Yassin’s election was Freddie Kissoon.
I want to it make it clear; I regard Freddie Kissoon as a national hero. In the circle that I move in, he is regarded as such. This country owes Freddie a great debt. But I think Freddie has to recognize who he is, how he is seen and behave accordingly. Freddie’s rant against Juman Yassin was uncalled for. This is one venture of the great educator, activist and columnist that was a terrible mistake.
Sports officials and sports performers should not be fooled by the commentaries of Rawle Welch and Edison Jefford against Yassin. They were simply echoing the theory of Freddie Kissoon. It was Freddie who initiated the focus on Yassin’s reelection. Freddie started it with a column on longevity in office and from there on Welch and Jefford picked it up. They picked it up because they were diplomatically supporting their icon. It is quite known to every reader of Freddie Kissoon who his friends are. He mentions who his friends are and Welch and Jefford are high up there
The Yassin conspiracy was a departure for Freddie but why he chose Yassin is because he has a revulsion against people staying long in office. There may be a point there but why pick on Yassin? And for this I feel bitterly disappointed in this fine Guyanese mind that is so brave. Why single out Yassin. If and when I meet Freddie I will ask him. I am delighted that K. Juman Yassin survived the learned mind of Freddie. Freddie becomes dangerous when he puts you on the spotlight because this guy is the most influential voice in Guyana. This is why I ask for more responsibility from him.
If Freddie says a policeman took a bribe, people believe him. If he says a politician is corrupt, people believe him. If he says a business treats its workers badly, people believe him. This guy writes a daily column, something that few commentators can do. His columns are very influential. There are few people living outside Guyana that do not read the Freddie Kissoon Column. My son would chat with his parents from Texas on the phone and he would ask us for more information on something Freddie wrote.
What Freddie does not know is that Mr. Yassin sees him in a positive light. Why put this solid sports administrator under his focus? Even if Freddie believes people stay in office for too long, I keep asking; why single out Yassin? I say without fear of contradiction that K. Juman Yassin has been the best performer as a sports administrator in Guyana the past ten years. Please Freddie, name me one, just one challenger to K. Juman Yassin. Our main sports are cricket and football. What passes in this country for sports administration in cricket and football will never be tolerated in other country.
I will make contact with Freddie privately and share information on cricket and football administration with him, information which should be in the possession of the police Crime Chief. Freddie, with due respect, you owe K. Juman Yassin an apology. Do not throw away your fine legacy by unbridled passion against certain people that have done great service in sports for Guyana. Please Freddie, do not soil your legacy by these silly ventures. You ought to know better. I will expect better from you.
Harri Narine Singh
Mar 21, 2025
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