-Klass
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Colin Klass, is of the view that although the GFF was the governing body for local football, the development of the sport requires a national effort.
Klass was addressing delegates from the various affiliates of the GFF at the business session of the GFF’s annual general meeting last Saturday at the Ocean View International Hotel.
The GFA boss told the gathering that a national effort meant inputs from government, the public and private sectors and the people of Guyana.
Klass said it was generally recognised that Guyana’s football has potential and he posited that once national support was provided, then the footballers would be able to deliver the goods.
In a hard-hitting address , Klass charged that fence-sitting was no longer a tactic that made any sense and challenged all and sundry to take the bull by the proverbial horns to get football and sport in general on the front burner of national development.
“We have been given yet another opportunity to contribute to the development of life and if we change at least one life (a footballer) in the process, we would have impacted significantly on the development of football as a whole, and a better Guyana for all.”
Stating that God has provided us with a spiritual compass, Klass said that there were…. “consequences for our inaction.”
The AGM got underway following the traditional opening ceremony at which prayers were offered by Pastor Kemuel Rock.
Brief remarks were also made by Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, and Klass while Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Conrad Plummer delivered the feature Address.
Klass took the opportunity to congratulate female referee, Diane Ferreira-James on her appointment to officiate at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China and suggested that more opportunities had to be created for the involvement of women as both referees and coaches, adding that systems would be activated to ensure that this happens.
He noted that the establishment of a Women’s league was under consideration but expressed concern about the poor discipline and general attitude of players, pointing out that even some who have had the opportunity to play outside of Guyana reverted to indiscipline when they return ed home to play for their clubs. He suggested that coaches must play a stronger role and have greater impact in building the players.
“Player development is not only about the techniques and skills developed on the field but more importantly about the inculcation of good habits, manners, and a better attitude in general.
“Coaches will have to prove themselves and use the knowledge they gain from their own training to enhance the players as individuals and together as teams.”
Klass admonished coaches who have benefited from training at several levels but lacked the necessary commitment to serve the players and the development of football.
Persons who did not shoulder their fair share of responsibility also came under fire while the GFF boss decried the fact that in some instances, some persons were left to single handedly run the business of associations while others took an extended holiday after they had been elected to serve.
Klass said in his opinion, the inaccessibility to facilities, the lack of sponsorship, and the absence of football and sports in schools were some of the things which were noticeably hampering the development of football in several associations.
Klass said that he hoped that the re-establishment of sports on the curriculum in schools would soon become a reality.
“If not,” he opined, “the development of football and sports will always be trying to catch up to the rest of the region.”
