Letter to the Sports Editor Government need to relook their treatment of Football

Nov 06, 2019 Sports

Dear Sir,

I hold no brief for the Guyana Football Federation. I live in the Diaspora and obtain my
information through social media, radio, newspapers, television and reliable sources in Guyana.
In the interest of accuracy and objectivity, I am moved to offer more nuanced perspective on
the GFF. I am of the opinion that they are being given a hard card by the authorities. Let me
explain.
Guyana qualified for the Male Gold Cup for the first time after numerous attempts. This
became possible with the inclusion of foreign-born/based Guyanese who represented us with distinction. It is a very costly exercise for the GFF in transporting these players from Europe, North America and the Caribbean. The Male and Female Teams has been costing the GFF Millions of dollars due to the fact that most of the players are based overseas and the results have been very satisfying. There may be another argument that they have been neglecting the locals, but that is another issue that has to be dealt with separately.
Persons are of the opinion that the GFF is loaded with money. This present administration took over the running of the GFF very highly indebted to many organisation and persons, they have been trying assiduously to eradicate some of the debts but because of the nature of the game money has to be garnered regularly to service the sport.
This Government has shown reluctance to assist the GFF whenever approached. Football is
played at the grass roots level, played by the underprivileged, the ghetto youths, the road
bailers, these same persons are very supportive of this Government, yet the parent body is
being treated like a rag doll. Be aware that this is Election Season and every vote is important, The Coalition must be cautious how they tread on such delicate issues.
I was reliably informed that the GFF have requested to use the Providence National Stadium to play the games in the National league but this Coalition Government which promised them they will get it suddenly had a change of heart, they have refused to give the GFF the venue for the game scheduled for 15th Nov 2019 against Aruba. The excuses and reasons for them not getting it are very flimsy and has no merit.
The Kashif and Shanghai Organisation through the GFF had made request to hold the International Futsal Tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall after they were promised same, overseas teams have been invited and have confirmed their participation, officials have already made travel arrangements to visit Guyana, but suddenly the Ministry of Social Cohesion/Department of Culture, Youth & Sports who controls the CASH said that the venue is unavailable.
Why is it that the Government is acting so callous towards football and its authorities, it seems that they don’t care about football, football is the most popular sport in the world, played by over 200 countries in the world, the crowds at venues are tremendous, the support from business continues unabated because the benefits and returns are encouraging. When World Cup Football is being played the World Pauses and sometimes stop.
Mr Minister of Sport, Mr Director of Sport, I urge you and your Government to relook and the
decisions that are being made in the interest of sports and football in particular. Come 2020 we
need you to be around to continue the good work of the Coalition.
May you be guided accordingly with the guidance of God.
Yours in Sports,
Anthony Alphonso
Football Enthusiast

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Letter to the Sports Editor Government need to relook their treatment of Football

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