—- says Lumumba
President of the Alpha United football club Odinga Lumumba says that he is standing firmly behind the club’s captain Howard Lowe who has decided to withdraw from the Guyana National Football team.
Lowe recently wrote the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) informing them of his decision to with draw from the squad as his request for an increase in his training stipend was not met by the GFF.
He also had an issue with the GFF regarding insurance for the players on the team.
“I back 100%, on the issue of him wanting an increase in his personal stipend.
Well that’s his personal issue, but as it relates to the issue of making sure that he and his team mates are fully covered with insurance, I mean he has a right because today, tomorrow something is to happen, he has to make sure he is covered,” said Lumumba.
Lumumba added that he had personally raised the issue of making sure the national players were properly insured and though he had personally spoke with GFF’s General Secretary Noel Adonis and was told that the GFF had acquired insurance he wanted to more information.
“We have to see the Policy document then I’ll accept what the GFF is saying to me and the other players. You can’t tell me that you’re covered and we don’t see anything, come on, this game is serious business,” Lumumba pointed.
He added that all of his players are covered.
“I wouldn’t tell me players, well yo, don’t play, I will never, but I would advise them well, ok before you do, you need to make sure, this or that happens, and let them make that decision. If they want to stay regardless, well that’s their choice, I wouldn’t do anything, I can’t do anything, that’s their decision,” he re-iterated.
Meanwhile, contacted yesterday, Adonis informed Stabroek Sport that the General Council of the GFF had an emergency meeting yesterday to deal with several important issues.
According to Adonis the GFF General Council said it would stand firmly behind the decision as it relates to the stipend agreement with Lowe.
Lowe had requested to be paid a stipend of US$15 while encamped locally and US$20 while overseas but Adonis said the GFF told him that they would be paying him, US$12 and US$15 respectively.
“Well yes, the General Council said that they would support our position as it relates to the stipend arrangement of Mr. Lowe and as also they were brought up to speed with the national team’s insurance status. As far as I know, his position is still the same so we’re moving on, it’s now up to Mr. Lowe to say what his next move is,” Adonis pointed out.
National Coach Wayne Dover although selecting his team with out Lowe, remains optimistic that the long standing central defender would meet some agreement with the GFF since his services are vital to the squad.
