Dear Editor,
I am literally saddened at what I perceive to be a very arrogant stance taken by the Kashif and Shanghai Organization against the Alpha United Football Club.
As a race horse owner and trainer I know that my horse Miss Republic is the top in the country. If a turf club holds a meeting and I am not satisfied with the organizing, accountability, conditions of the track and prize money. Then I have the right to question. If the horse is literally thrown out like Alpha, then obviously the turfites associated with this horse will not participate, resulting in much lower gate receipts.
I don’t see eye to eye with Mr. Odinga Lumumba on many issues, but today I think I need to lend support and solidarity to him, his team and those poor footballers who year in year out have been trampled upon. The facts are there for everyone to see.
The promoters, with the help of sponsors, have created sweat shops. The footballers get next to nothing while the promoters and sponsors walk away smiling. Alpha United says we have had enough of that and believe that we should be better compensated and the next thing is that they are thrown off a cliff.
It is an unprincipled, unjust, high-handed and arrogant stance taken by Kashif and Shanghai and an insult to football.
How could it be wrong to ask for more money for poor footballers?
I say to Alpha, take your expulsion with dignity. You are the best in Guyana and it did not take Kashif and Shanghai to prove that. You will go down in history as the one who started a football revolution in Guyana. To the other clubs I say Alpha today, who next? Your silence on this issue says it all.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Elcock
Race Horse Owner/Trainer
