Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter captioned ‘The government should become involved in football just as it has in cricket‘ by Richard Martin D Prince, in SN of April 6. Firstly, the statutes of FIFA are clear about non-government interference in football. Further, the statutes of FIFA are also clear on the subject of “binding decisions being revocable by a Court of Law.”
Secondly, the ICC’s policy as it relates to non-government inference isn’t legally binding as yet, since a time-frame has been set for implementation. So, in essence there is no comparison between cricket and football. Thirdly, within the context of local football, various courses, seminars and workshops were held in the areas of administration, coaching, refereeing, marketing, nutrition, physiotherapy, stadium management and security, among others, all of them under the auspices of FIFA. Is the same true of cricket in relation to the ICC, along with the annual subvention of US$250, 000?
Fourthly, there is the significant investment made over the years by FIFA, overseen by CONCACAF and CFU. How many associations, affiliates and clubs have shown improvement? At the end of the day examples are always better than precepts.
Finally, while I would agree that there are various shortcomings in the administration of football locally, along with the disgraceful training facility under the FIFA Goal Project which has funding amounting to US$400,000 and which is still goalless after a few years, this is still no reason for the government to appoint an IMC. Rather, what should be the pertinent issue is that the clubs which are efficiently run in the respective associations should formulate comprehensive plans for transparency and proper accountability in relation to the annual FIFA subvention, and should furnish a copy of their audited annual financial report via their associations.
Victoria Kings, the club with which Mr Prince was associated, failed in its efforts for sustained progress owing to a lack of an effective and structured nursery programme, along with the requisite leadership.
By the way, did the Kings on an annual basis submit a financial statement to their governing body along with the minutes of their AGM? By comparison during my tenure as Secretary at Fruta Conquerors, the club was and still maintains its sound nursery development programme. In addition it has the relevant documentation, ie, financial statement, minutes, competition reports, and most importantly, a standard procedure for the distribution of prize monies won with the players receiving 70% and the club 30%!
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
