Dear Editor,
Football in Guyana was on the verge of reaching its apex with Christopher Matthias at its helm. The ideas, vision and direction he was charting would have elevated football, and its signs of development would have shown wherever this magnificent game is played in this land.
This developmental drive despite the federation’s insurmountable debt was however halted by individuals in their own self-interest. They knew of his ability to lead and his will to fight for what is right and deserving.
The Georgetown Football Association is cognizant of this man’s ability to lead and fight. The President, Mr Burnett who recently penned his resignation can attest to Matthias’s leadership and wits that made his tenure as President look good.
After Mr Matthias’s departure from the GFA to take up his post at the GFF, it was clear to see who was really the true leader and visionary of the GFA. He left an association with a tournament which crippled the once popular K&S tournament, with all of its debts paid and profits in the millions. This tournament after his exodus failed to recapture its previous successes, with millions in debts and payments still outstanding.
Matthias’s reign at the GFF was plagued by individuals of the past regime who wanted back in and those who remained. Their quest to get back in, left no stone unturned, and their efforts could not have matched the man who knew their game and who was left with no alternative but to disrupt the congress by two walk-outs.
Matthias in his wisdom once again on Guyana’s behalf, consulted for a normalizing committee (NC) to be put in place. This was a committee that FIFA decided on as well as who the individuals on it would be. Editor, what is most ironic about this situation is that the very things Mr. Matthias was proposing and started to work on, FIFA is giving a directive to the NC to do the same. These things are constitutional reform, club structure and a central focus on youth football, to name a few.
Editor, it is clear to see that some individuals in the football fraternity are still trapped in colonial bondage; the shackles have been removed from their hands and feet, but they are still mentally enslaved.
It must be said, that FIFA’s good intention for Guyana’s football with the installing of the NC is commendable, however, there should have been more consultation and more vetting of the individuals selected. They are qualified yes, but most of the selected members except for Dr Pilgrim do not have the know-how and experience in the discipline of sport. I, like most, believed Dr Pilgrim should have been considered for the headship of the committee.
It would be remiss of me if I had failed to mention that the chairman of the Normalizing Committee is a novice. His attitude is not what is needed in football, which is in dire need of change. Mr Urling should stop using his temporary post for realigning the old guard in time for elections.
The NC has some genuine people who should given the opportunity to make their contributions freely without being stifled, and if that happens, only then will this phase before the GFF elections be worthwhile.
Yours faithfully,
Jermaine Figueira
