By Iva Wharton
The Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Banks DIH sponsored President’s Beer tournament resumes in another two weeks and according to Kwabina Griffith, GFA’s Vice President with responsibility for Technical and Tactical Development they will be doing so with one team less, Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Griffith said the absence of the GDF team will in no way hamper the progression of the tournament nor the outcome.
He, however, said that the matter is before the disciplinary committee, who will report its recommendations to the General Council and the Executive.
GDF was among the 15 teams vying to retain its premiership after being out of organised football for close to two years because of the absence of an elected GFA executive.
Griffith said that the GFA’s main concerns continue to be the welfare of the players affected by the decision made by the hierarchy of the army.
According to him it was unfortunate because the GDF was not just out of the GFA sanctioned tournament, but also the Kashif and Shanghai tournament at a period when many of the Georgetown teams are accustomed to be playing football.
“So it was sad that those players who would have trained very hard and put in all the hard work and looked forward to play some exciting football were denied that opportunity.
“It did come as a complete shock and surprise to the GFA, the reason given by the GFA in their release showed a lack of appreciation for what the issues were at the point in time. So we are thinking that the GDF’s decision was made out of ignorance of the fact and as such we will have a sit down with them to see what can be done.”
The GFA President’s Beer tournament will see the top 10 team securing premiership while the remaining seven will be placed in the second division league. Griffith said should GDF chose not to compete in the tournament they will automatically be placed in the Second Division League where they will join former premier league teams Pele and Western Tigers.
Resuming also in another two weeks will be the under-13 league which started last November.
Asked about the financial benefits derived from the recent Banks Beer tournament, Griffith said he was not in a position to state, as the GFA was still tallying the figures and paying out debts.
He, however, said that as soon as all the debts are paid and the final figure is arrived at, the information will be released to the public.
He also said that apart from the teams sharing in the profits from that tournament, the association will be looking at ways to enhance the facility for the benefits of patrons and players alike. “While we were very happy with the support we received we also felt that we fell short in the accommodation that we should have been able to afford our fans. So that is going to be one of our major focus for the year to see how we can better accommodate our fans at major events.”
Asked whether this tournament will be expanded to include clubs from other associations Griffith said it is an idea that is being discussed by the executive.
“Things progress and things improve; the World Cup did not start where it is today. As the years go on depending on the success of the tournament we would look to expand it once it is feasible and the associations show a willingness to come on board, because it is all for the development of football.”
Griffith said that there is a downside to going in that direction, since with the hosting of such tournaments the Guyana Football Federation has to be approached requesting permission for clubs from other associations to participate in invitational tournaments.
Asked about plans for the development of female football for 2012, Griffith said the association has no plans in place. “It was something that was slated for 2012 at the start of our tenure but because of some hiccups everything was delayed and pushed back.”
He acknowledged that female football is rising to World prominence and was attracting a large following and said it is something that the GFA would be paying keen attention to in the future.
“I am pretty sure that the next time you sit down with me I will have something concrete to tell you about the development of female football,” he ended.
