Forde unveils six-goal manifesto

-in quest for GFF presidency

After much consideration, Fruta Conquerors President Wayne Forde has officially signalled his intention to contest the post of president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

Forde announced his decision last week at a launch party at the Le Meridien, Pegasus Hotel.

Utilizing a six-goal manifesto, the former Georgetown Football Association (GFA) executive will contest the November 14th polls which will be contested using the slate format.

The other confirmed members of the slate are 1st Vice Presidential candidate Brigadier General (retired) Bruce Lovell, 2nd Vice Presidential hopeful and former GFF Vice President Rawlston Adams, 3rd Vice President Nominee Attorney-at-Law Thandi McCallister, Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) Chief Dion Innis,Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC President Loring Benons and Rupununi Football Association (RFA) executive Brian Rodrigues.

The other two committee member positions on the nine member slate will be filled shortly before the Saturday October 23rd deadline.

GFF Presidential hopeful Wayne Forde addressing the gathering at the Pegasus hotel after officially declaring that he will be contesting the GFF Elections as a Presidential candidate while other members of the launch party look on.
GFF Presidential hopeful Wayne Forde addressing the gathering at the Pegasus hotel after officially declaring that he will be contesting the GFF Elections as a Presidential candidate while other members of the launch party look on.

With regards to the manifesto, the first goal will target Good Governance, Openness and Responsibility while goal-two and three will be Improved Community Based Facilities and Social Programmes and Improved Education and Training respectively.

Goal-four will be the Establishment of a National League Structure for u-15, U-17, U-19 and U-23 divisions while goal-five will target Improved Financing for Football Development in Guyana. The final goal will be focused on Improving Livelihoods for Footballers.

Forde during an address to the gathering said:”This morning I am joined by my distinguished colleagues to declare our candidacy for the Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Federation. In exactly twenty three days, the eligible members from amongst the 22 members of the Guyana Football Federation will be called upon to make the most important decision of our time.

“On the 14th of November, we will all have the opportunity to make a profoundly emphatic statement to our loyal membership, the players that love this beautiful game, to the skeptical business community, to the Government of Guyana, to all 41 members of the CONCACAF family and to the entire FIFA Organization that ‘We are ready to embrace the quality of leadership that has for so long eluded us.

“The image of football is experiencing its worst days and at times we all consumed by an immense sense of helplessness, not very often are we given the opportunity to directly charter the course of our beloved sport which therefore means that we can least afford to squander that opportunity when it is presented to us”.

He noted “It is because of this exact reason that I want to speak directly to the leaders of the 22 members of the Guyana Football Federation. Today I present to you the finest minds and the most respectable professionals each with a solid record of service, discipline and integrity, I give you Team Integrity”.

Forde declared:”Team Integrity brings to you a strong balance of business and commercial experience, technical and logistic skills, legal and constitutional competence and discipline and institutional governance knowledge.

“We are here today to pledge our commitment to serve you with distinction and work prodigiously to restore the image of football. Over the next two weeks, we will continue to meet with you, listen to you and share our passion and vision for the next four years. My brothers and sisters the best days for football are ahead of us.”

He posited:”Team Integrity will deliver to you a rules-oriented football fraternity that is characterized by discipline, openness, inclusiveness, credibility, fairness, solid fiscal management, an active league schedule and youth and community empowerment through football.

“We will build strong mutually respectful relationships with the business community and the Government of Guyana. We believe that these partnerships are an essential platform to kick start a sustainable football development programme. Today I ask you to acknowledge the moral responsibility you have to do what is right, let us do this together, let us be the change we have long hoped for, let us on November the 14th choose Team Integrity.

“We believe in you and we trust you, the players, the fans, the business community, the government and each stakeholder have their eyes fixed on you and they are all confident that you will do what is right, you will vote for Team integrity on November 14th,” he concluded.

Asked if he believes corporate Guyana will return to the sport if he is elected, Forde said that the situation affecting the sport is a consequence of “our own actions” adding that no company would want their brand to be associated with lawlessness.

He said that his administration will work towards restoring the faith of the corporate sector through integrity and accountability which will be the hallmark of their administrative methods and that he is confident corporate sector will be happy to come on board.

Questioned if he had always aspired to run for the GFF top post, Forde said that his intention was never to be President of the GFF but simply to serve the sport in any capacity.

However, Forde noted that he has been paying attention to what has been going on at the administrative level and believes that he can offer an alternative to what the discipline has grown accustomed to.

Vice Presidential nominee Adams, during a brief address, said while it is a pleasure to be in the position to once again possibly serve Guyana’s football, he was initially hesitant to take up the post due to his past administrative involvement.

He stated, however, that he is glad that he has accepted the calling because one must respond when called to serve, declaring he will pledge his support and resources to the team as the football fraternity deserves it.