Dear Editor,
I have refrained from commenting publicly upon the state of local football for a considerable period of time, since in my estimation the reduction of powers within the General Council − albeit a ‘toothless poodle’ − can only be equated with the angry dog that barked at the moon, but the moon was not disturbed.
May I seize the opportunity to inform you that the press conference called by the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Mr Colin Klass on November 13 has left me more amused than bewildered. Yes, indeed! That a few days earlier the players’ resignations had been made known, Mr Klass was totally unaware.
So how all of a sudden will the GFF executives be addressing the Trinidad imbroglio? And within seven days letters would be dispatched to the disgruntled players seeking clarification of their grouses. The players will be given a one-week ultimatum to reply to the letters. This now brings me to the essential point. Why does this dissembling emanate from Mr Klass, taking into consideration that a previous stint of encampment in Trinidad, had resulted in some degree of disgruntlement among the players?
Inadequate and timely meals along with stipends were the main reasons for dissatisfaction − that was reported in the press. But did any club(s) or association(s) deem it fit to enquire about the welfare of the player(s) from the GFF? If not, then Lumumba’s testimony of a weak General Council that is only interested in a plate of food and stipend for travel whenever attending meetings bears fruit! And can be equated to a parent telling a child, I’m the breadwinner and today I’ll eat all the bread, rather than share.
Meanwhile could the nation of Guyana have ever hoped to qualify for World Cup 2010, in the absence of a developmental plan? Suitable replacements for the aged legs locally are virtually non-existent, coming through the ranks of 15, 17, 19 and 21/23 at the national level. Furthermore there is no national league, which is compounded by the fact that within CONCACAF, Mexico, the USA and Costa Rica are way ahead of Guyana in relation to development and professionalism.
And can Guyana hope to match the achievements of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, both of whom had previously qualified for World Cups at the senior level, in addition to juniors? While not foregoing participation in regional club championships and infrastructural development. In the final analysis the administrative aspect of the game has failed our players and not the other way around.
Finally, the level of any sport is determined by the level of the administration in place. It makes me extremely sad that the Guyanese public continues to be duped, deceived and misled with the false sense of security that all is well for a grand takeoff of the sport. And until now not one iota of development is evident, to the extent that for the year 2008, the GFF has failed to organize a single competition. And three associations have failed to run off a single competition for the year, despite having voting rights. Is this fair to Georgetown?
Yours faithfully,
Clifford Jones,
Former Footballer
