Alpha United will not be attending any GFA meeting, says Ninvalle

By Iva Wharton

Alpha United will not be attending any meeting called by the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), according to Steve Ninvalle, the club’s Vice-President.

Ninvalle via telephone said that the letter sent to the GFA was self-explanatory. He said that in the letter to the GFA it was stated that Alpha United will not be participating in any activity organised by the association.

Odinga Lumumba

He also said that no official of Alpha United Club has any acrimonious feelings towards the GFA, but reiterated that Alpha United will not be attending any meeting.

According to Ninvalle, the GFA has the right to handout any sanctions or penalties, but the club has taken a decision that it will not be attending any meeting called by the Georgetown Football Association.

Ninvalle was responding to questions about whether representatives will be attending a disciplinary hearing of the General Council of the GFA.

The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at the Sleepin International Hotel and not Saturday last as reported in last Saturday’s Stabroek Sport edition.

Letters were sent to Alpha United’s President Odinga Lumumba and Secretary. However, Fiona Hamilton contacted this publication stating that she is not the secretary of Alpha United, but Ninvalle in his comment stated that she is the club’s secretary. He has also acknowledged letters from the GFA requesting meetings with both the President and Secretary of Alpha United.

The letter stated that Lumumba will have to answer to “recent pubic misstatements made by you concerning the mandate of the General Council of the Georgetown Football Association to its executive committee as it regards resolving the GFF/GFA impasse.”

The secretary has the task of providing answers to “the withdrawal of the Alpha United Football Club from the duly sanctioned 2012 Namilco Knockout tournament” and the “current administrative status of the Alpha United Football Club.”

In both letters it was stated  that the matters identified will be deliberated on in their presence or in their absence as well.

There are also reports that some members of the General Council were not aware of any letter being sent to Alpha United Football Club, nor were the members informed by the executive of a disciplinary hearing.

One of the members said that Alpha United has withdrawn from the GFA and so there is no reason to summon the club to any disciplinary hearing.

According to the council member it would be very disappointing if executive members are acting on behalf of the council without its permission.