Dear Editor,

I have refrained from commenting upon the state of local football for a considerable time but the publication of an article headlined: “Can Guyana qualify for 2014 World Cup?” by Donald Duff  30.03.10 has once more aroused my interest.

Apart from deserving the relevant commendation, the article allows me to contribute meaningfully to the issue which has stimulated healthy discussion on the state of local football once more. A four-year time frame of preparation would be woefully inadequate in pursuit of qualification against the backdrop that qualification for a youth World Cup, under – 17 and under – 20 remains an utmost priority.

At the senior level finishing among the top four teams in the Digicel competition would enable Guyana to qualify for the Gold Cup in the USA.

There they will rub shoulders with CONCACAF powerhouses USA and Mexico and Central America’s Costa Rica and Honduras.

While qualifying for the Olympics would also serve as a plus in Guyana’s favour in the area of funding/financing, sponsorship would have to play an extremely important role.

Corporate entities and the government will both have to dole out substantial amounts that could amount to millions of United States dollars if this country is to be successful.

As I had alluded to at marketing seminar I attended a few months ago at Olympic House under the auspices of FIFA, in conjunction with the GFF, football in Guyana is in need of a total rebirth.

Let us use the National League as an example. There is no justifiable yardstick for the promotion and relegation of teams since the GFF in its initial planning never conceptualized the rationale of having a division below the National League with at least 14 teams battling for the two bottom places.

And while all clubs nationally and domestically must have a proper functioning nursery programme consisting of: under – 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 teams, strategic emphasis must also be placed on inter – club and inter association tournaments at all levels.

There is also need to establish academies; upgrade the knowledge of administrators and coaches and improve the current playing venues. Finally, while one may be tempted to say four years is a long way off, indeed it’s woefully inadequate towards qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. While the selection policy for the Lady Jaguars is commendable as a short term solution, it still leaves a gaping hole in the structure of female football locally.

With a professional structure in place for the males, the local standard of play would improve significantly, enabling players to give a favourable account of themselves as they strive for selection.

As it stands now I know of a Guyanese who plays professionally in Venezuela.

In Brazil, there is a footballer with a Guyanese father, whose club out of Recife, now plays in the Paulista.

That player last season was on the reserve team.  So, in pursuit of unearthing quality players from Europe and North America for national representation, South America must also be taken into consideration.

The fact that Guyana two years ago achieved its best ever FIFA ranking of 92 and now resides at 122, is a clear indication of a lack of foresight towards improving the rankings or maintaining a place in the top 100 countries out of 208 affiliated associations worldwide.

Nigeria in 1986 won the inaugural FIFA Under-16 World Cup in China. They subsequently displayed total development in 1994 when they debuted at the Senior World Cup eight with the nucleus of their squad from 1986.

It is a formula Guyana can use in pursuit of World Cup qualification!
Yours in sport,
Lester Sealey