The Guyana Football Federation is offering to repay the Surinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB) the sum of US$3,500 for expenses incurred during the Suriname national football team’s visit to Guyana for the second leg of the World Cup 2010 qualifiers which was held at the National Stadium at Providence.
So said vice-president of the SVB, Ronald Koorendijk, who met with GFF president Colin Klass behind closed doors Thursday night.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports, Koorendijk said that after discussions with other members of the SVB, it was agreed that the SVB would be willing to accept the sum of US$5000 from the GFF.
Koorendijk told Stabroek Sport that he had not yet communicated this new development to Klass as the GFF boss was out of the country.
“I met with Mr. Klass last night (Thursday) who offered the SVB the sum of US$3,500 as a re-imbursement fee.
“I told him that I could not accept his offer without the consent of the other executives back in Suriname who, when contacted, told me no!
“However, they came to an agreement today (Friday) wherein they would ask the GFF to repay us US$5000 instead, but same cannot be relayed to Mr. Klass as he is out again.”
When Guyana’s Golden Jaguars visited neighbouring Suriname for their first round International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) 2010 World Cup qualifying match at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in June, the SVB incurred expenditure to the tune of US$6,300 for accommodation and meals for the Jaguars, Koorendijk recounted.
On the trip to Guyana for the return fixture the following week, the SVB spent US$6,488 at the Tower Hotel on accommodation and meals for their team following the inadequate accommodation and facilities offered to the Suriname national team.
The Suriname vice-president showed Stabroek Sports documents which appeared to verify the expenditure claimed by the SVB.
“First of all, there is no animosity between the SVB and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). We have and hope to continue to enjoy, a good cordial relationship as we have shared and enjoyed in the past.
“However, having said such, there were some irregularities that took place during the Suriname national football team’s trip to Guyana for their return fixture of the FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifying match in June, that persons are unaware of until now,” Koorendijk added.
“We received the Guyana national team very well, with first-class accommodation being provided to them by the Hotel North Resort where the SVB expended the sum of US$6,300, and was expecting the same type of treatment when we visited Guyana for our return fixture.”
“Don’t get me wrong, having stayed at the Woodbine International a few years ago when I made a personal trip to Guyana, I was impressed by the facilities there thus, when Mr. Colin Klass and I had our discussion in Suriname and the question of the Suriname national team’s accommodation arose, I suggested there.”
He added:“The agreement was reached on Woodbine but when we got here via air transport, the first thing that surprised us was the no show of a GFF official. Only our very own Mr. Charlo Doedel, who was questioning the GFF on our accommodation, along with the bus driver was there and we were taken to the Palace De Leon hotel.”
“The guys were very hungry, and I took it upon myself to go to KFC and purchase 27 meals for the entire team. We only saw Mr. Klass around 12.30hrs which is exactly three-and-a-half hours after our arrival at the hotel and, after notifying him of our concerns with regards to the accommodation, we were transferred to the Woodbine International Hotel.
“But the standard there has dropped tremendously, and it was only on our arrival there that we were notified that it has not been in operation for a while and, having heard about our dilemma here in Guyana, the SVB requested and received confirmation from Hotel Tower, where we moved to and found the accommodation and facilities much more comfortable.”
Koorendijk was also upset at the fact that their national team was unable to use the National Stadium to train which he said was another breach of FIFA’s regulations which state that teams must be allowed to train on the venue for no more than one hour per day.
“We were refused the right to train at the venue even in the presence of Mr. Klass who, never at one time interceded on our behalf whilst the security personnel was ordering us off the field. And when I asked him why he did not intervene, he simply looked at me and mumbled something that I have not understood up to this moment,” said Koorendijk.
“We were taken to the Fruta Conquerors ground which was very muddy due to rain, but in the interest of our training regime, proceeded with our exercises in preparation for our game against the home team the weekend.”
Koorendijk said that when the Suriname national team came to Guyana for the Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC), embattled GFF president Klass met with and discussed with the team’s management committee, the reimbursement of its’ expenditure whilst here for the World Cup return fixture in June.
“Mr. Klass had promised to repay the SVB, the sum expended by it during the SVB national team’s visit to Guyana for the return fixture of the 2010 World Cup qualifier in June, thus Mr. Doedel who is also the First Secretary attached to the Suriname Embassy here in Guyana, was left to negotiate the expedition of same.
“But according to Mr. Doedel, no word was forthcoming from the GFF, whilst his efforts to make contact with Mr. Klass were in vain as he (Klass) would often be more out of the country than in and no one else at the GFF was aware of his decision to repay us,” said Koorendijk.
“I must state clearly, that my visit to Guyana now is more personal than business and that FIFA did not order Guyana to repay to the SVB, the sum of US$8,000 as was previously reported. However, I met with Mr. Klass last night (Thursday) who offered the SVB the sum of US$3,500 as a reimbursement fee.”
“FIFA did not order the GFF to repay us as I stated earlier but suggested that we both (the SVB and GFF) meet and iron it out. But should the GFF fail to honor our offer when being told of same, we are prepared to approach FIFA without any hesitation.”
“What Klass and the GFF needs to be reminded of is that it was within their rights to ensure our accommodation whilst not matching the first-class treatment the Golden Jaguars received whilst in Suriname, was up to standard as required by FIFA. Which leaves me to ask, how is Mr. Klass president of the GFF for over 20 years with such performances?”
