Letter to the Sports Editor – A look at the football scenario and the questions on my mind

Nov 24, 2023 Letters, Sports

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Dear Sports Editor,

Please permit me space in your newspapers so I can have small a say with regards to the Guyana Football Federation eagerly anticipated AGM which will have an election component on its Agenda scheduled for Saturday 9th December 2023.

It is public knowledge that the Incumbent President Mr Wayne Forde and a former Acting President Mr Franklin Wilson will be vying to become the President of the GFF at the conclusion of the Election.

Franky as he is popularly known, was involved in Football for a number of years holding many portfolios, however he came to prominence after FIFA was rocked with corruption and scandal and a number of persons being charged or thrown out of football, including former President Mr Colin Klass. Mr Wilson elevated to the Presidency since he was a Vice President with the GFF by passing another Vice President, Mr Carlos Prowell who was Franky Senior.

Wilson served from sometime in 2011 to 2013, based on what is being transcripted in the Kaieteur News, a newspapers he worked at for a number of years, it is insinuating that he was the best President during that short period. Mr Editor, after 2 years at the helm and doing all the wonders that no other President in the history of football did, how in heavens name in April 2013 he could not have gotten a single nomination.  Mr Christopher Matthais, Mr Ivan Persaud, Mr Alfred King and Mr Aubrey Shanghai Major all were in the race to become President, but Mr Editor this ‘Messiah’ could not get a single nomination for any position that were up for grabs. That is a Million questions that are still to be figured out. Did the electorates have no confidence in him then, do they think he is a better man now to lead the GFF seeing that millions is being floating around. Remember the Mexico Fiasco.

He was involved in a scandal with regards to the selling of a game to Mexico on behalf of the GFF and collecting Millions of dollars in return. To date some former National Players are claiming that they never received a cent, ten (10) years later. As a former President of East Bank can he say what he left as legacy, did he create a football field that East Bank FA can say Franky left this.

Is Franky a fake, is he bluffing, is he being coerced to run so his boss and colleague will run the association behind the scene.

He has on his slate, GDF Officer Mr Burnett, former President of GFA. He is nice and affectionate person but the GDF Football Field is in a terrible condition, did he leave a legacy when he was Georgetown boss.

You have Mr Ramesh Persaud Secretary of Santos, where was he all the time, did he ever see a game that Santos played recently, I don’t think so, with all the clout that Mr Persaud has why couldn’t he acquire a sponsor for Santos.

In comes the Fire Chief Mr Wickam another VP what can he say that he did for the East Coast Football Association, what can these high flying executives show what they did whilst they were or are still in their respective clubs and Associations.

Down below you have 5 ordinary members. Victoria Kings playing field was 1 of the better venues on the East Coast yet the club President George Clemenston, a businessman, had or have no intention of rehabilitating the ground. Army Officer, President Rawl Jerrick of Ann’s Grove venue is suffering the same fate. Senior GPF Officer Ms Althea Scipio had a short stint in Football as the General Secretary of the GFF was a disaster waiting to happen, she was a complete failure and she sailed a lot. Then you have Christine Schmidt from West Demerara one of the persons who destroyed the WDFA. Finally you have Mr Otis James of the GFA, a hard worker and strong critic of the present GFF Executive, that is all he has, he has no charisma and leadership qualities, he is a former FIFA Referee but a lover of the game. Are these the persons we want to lead the GFF for the next 4 years, old people say you know what you got, you don’t know who coming.

To the electorates, come Dec 9th 2023 put your x where you will benefit, don’t be fooled by false and elaborate promises, the 2020 National Election had plenty promises, we can’t afford to go down that road again.

Mr Editor in my next opinion piece I will have a look at the Mr Forde and what he did and the plans he has for pushing football to another level.

Gregory Smith Football Enthusiast.

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• former Acting President, Gregory Smith, Guyana Football Federation, Mr Franklin Wilson, questions

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