Dear Editor,
My passion, the game for whose betterment I have fought long and hard in my country is football. I have devoted 17 years (1996-2013) of my football career to the National Programme, and I have seen it all.
Today, it’s clear that the current leadership of the GFF doesn’t have a clue about the way forward for Guyana’s football. It is extremely sad that things we players, Kayode McKinnon, Howard Lowe, Richard Reynolds, Gregory Richardson, Collie Hercules, Christopher Nurse, and numerous others I have not mentioned, have fought for over the years have been disregarded and thrown out the window.
No matter what sport you play, the principles that make a successful team are universal. It’s a strong foundation, development and preparation. The current leadership of the GFF lacks a philosophical view of these three components which would drive the organisation forward and cause expectations to be transcended.
The youths are the future of tomorrow, but how can we put together a national team in two weeks with 99% of the youths not coming from any national development programme and expect success? However, I commend each one of these players for their efforts under the circumstances.
But let’s be real. The key part of a successful national programme is building a strong foundation and it is this area that the GFF has pushed aside. The future of the national programme lies with our youths and one can only expect long-term success by developing strength in its foundation. It is important in the transitioning phase to have a good blend of players to allow the experienced players to pass on their knowledge before their exit out of the national programme.
However, it’s clear the GFF doesn’t share that view. I have learnt in life when someone doesn’t know something you cannot get annoyed with them. However I cannot stand by and say nothing. We need to acquire the services of football oriented personnel to run the affairs of football in Guyana – personnel that will build a strong foundation, and put proper structures in place for the continued development and success of football. For too many years football has been played in the office and not on the field. The game of football is a ‘doing’ thing and not a ‘talking’ thing.
The GFF had an opportunity to maximize on the hype from the Golden Jaguars quest for qualification in the recently concluded 2014 World Cup. However, they let it disintegrate. A drastic change is needed in football, one which I hope comes soon for the benefit of the sport I love.
Yours faithfully,
Charles ‘Lily’Pollard
