Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the recently concluded sixth Fruta Conquerors/Namilco-sponsored knockout competition that was won by Alpha United, which came from behind to achieve a 3-1 win over Santos in the finals. This was preceded by host Fruta Conquerors capturing the third place playoff, edging out GDF 2-1 in the opening encounter of a double header at the Tucville ground on February 24. Mention must also be made of the launching of the Slingerz Football Club, which from all indications is an automatic affiliate of the West Demerara Football Association.
The three major components of the sport are administration, coaching and officiating (refereeing). However, it’s administration which remains the most important, since it determines the level of any sport. As a consequence it was extremely disheartening to have to read of eventual winners Alpha United’s decision to withdraw prior to the commencement of the tournament, then to have a change of heart and play. But what of the recently crowned K&S Champions, Buxton United, who opted out after securing a loss upon the resumption of the GFF’s Super League? And last but definitely not least, the withdrawal of Beacon, whose President is a Vice President of the GFA?
Editor, it must be noted that both Alpha and Beacon are affiliates of the GFA, and should answer to the parent body for their withdrawal if requested, but definitely not at Conquerors’ insistence, as a public release in the news media had suggested. The GFF would have been the over-riding authority to impose any sanction if the situation so warranted, owing to the fact that the participating teams came from more than one association. This now brings me to the pertinent point: coaches must coach; administrators must administrate and referees must referee.
While Alpha’s decision to withdraw was known to me prior to the tournament’s commencement, in relation to the compilation of fixtures, such a position should have been documented to the club, the GFA and the GFF. Moreover, the club’s debriefing would have been the ideal forum to ventilate views. But this shouldn’t have escaped both the GFA and the GFF, owing to the fact that seedings in any knockout tournament ought to be above board, and definitely not as lopsided as Namilco’s. Who, did the fixtures − was it the club’s coach? If, so, then he shouldn’t have been doing it, since he’s not an administrator. And to make matters worse, the marketing directed towards enhancing gate receipts was also poor.
While one half of the draw featured the best of the teams, namely, Alpha United, Pele, GDF, Western and Camptown, the other half consisted of hosts Fruta Conquerors, Santos, GFC, NA UTD and Police. On a pertinent point, if such a situation had occurred in the Kashif & Shangai KO, or the Mayor’s Cup, what would have been the public’s perception? In the group stage of the World Cup Finals, FIFA would never have Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Argentina in one group, and another consisting of Jamaica, Japan, Algeria and South Korea. Further, does one have to go all these lengths in pursuit of winning a tournament? Or towards enhancing the hosts’ image entailing a feature match in the semifinals against Santos, while the national club champions Alpha United played the GDF in the curtain raiser?
Finally, since there is always more in the mortar than in the pestle, then maybe the GFF executive should explain publicly via a press release if there was any compromise in granting Slingerz FC full-fledged affiliation to the West Demerara FA. To the best of my knowledge, in accordance with Georgetown standards, constitutionality should be the benchmark in all associations. Affiliation is only granted at the Annual General Meeting or the Half-Yearly, so did this occur, or was a special General Council meeting convened to deal specifically with the affiliation?
Further does the club have a constitution? Was an AGM convened with the relevant election of office bearers? If not, then the administration of football as an essential pillar in the sport is being overlooked.
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
