Former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Christopher Matthias said Guyana will be the judge as to whether he was given a fair opportunity and that he believes the federation was able to fulfill its mandate despite the lack of resources and constant criticisms.
Matthias was replaced at the helm of the GFF after the world governing body FIFA installed a normalization committee following two failed congresses to fill vacant positions.
The five member normalization committee which will be chaired by Clinton Urling will consist of Dr. Karen Pilgrim, Robin Chanderpaul, Stuart May and Tariq Williams.
Speaking exclusively to Stabroek Sports, he said “In light of all the concentrated efforts at destabilizing and undermining, I think it’s only fair to say that we have done reasonably well. Much more I do believe could have been achieved. “All efforts were put towards the development of football and not merely the fight for personal position, power and FIFA money.
Let the nation be the judge as to whether or not we were given a fair chance to perform our roles as managers,” he added.
“With limited resources we were able, with some measure, to fulfill our constitutional mandate. We first was able to encamp the national u-17 girls’ team and participate in the CFU qualification tournament. We were able have the national u-17 boys’ encamped and participate in the CFU qualification tournament.
“We were able to successfully host the national premier league and to be able to pay the clubs from the gate receipts. We successfully hosted two referees’ assessment programmes and saw our new-look, young and talented national team participate in the CFU Caribbean Cup qualifiers,” he added.
Matthias went on: “We were able to have our referees participate internationally and for several coaches to receive international training.
More importantly, we were able to identify and establish the need for the structured development of the sport and by proposing that they should be basic requirements for a player, club and/or association to be identified.
“Finally, we were able to bring to the consciousness, the necessity for the congress to understand that they are the administrators of the sport and as such, are required to establish sound policies for the development for the sport and for the executives to comprehend that they are the managers of those polices,” he added.
Questioned about the status of FIFA Goal Project, he said: “Contrary to what the honorable Minister of Sport would have recently said, it is the GFF who is waiting for the Minister to establish if he is going to remove the condition of incorporation. Two, to release the entire 11 acres as a lease and to fulfill his mandate with regards to public works on the access road.”
Asked about the status of the federation’s debt, he stated that the current figure hovers somewhere around the 20 million dollar range. He noted that upon entering the federation, the figure was close to the 38 million dollar range.
“For all indications it would appear that a few persons didn’t want the forensic audit to be presented at any of the GFF congresses and professionally we could not have given that information without the approval of the auditors Ram and McRae.
“We have no doubt that the information will come to light and the nation will be the judge as to if monies were really spent on the development of Guyana’s football,” he declared.
Quizzed about his thoughts on the composition of the normalization committee and if they can full their mandate, Matthias said: “It is an excellent opportunity for football to develop in the country and I believe they can once those persons who are grabbing for power, position and money are willing to cooperate.”
Queried if he has any intention of contesting for office in the future, he said: “It’s not a consideration right now.”
