Two former national football players Kayode McKinnon and Charles `Lily’ Pollard are throwing their support behind former Kashif and Shanghai Director Aubrey `Shanghai’ Major in the race to become president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
“The president of the Guyana Football Federation has to be someone whose first and foremost interest must be to serve the players, coaches and the beautiful game of football, says Mc Kinnon a former member of the Golden Jaguars football team.
“The president has to be able to build bridges, not burn them. In spite of criticism, disagreements and must always have tolerance for other views.
“I strongly believe that, given the overwhelming support more times than not Mr. Major has given to players and the national team since I was there from 1997 to date he would be a great fit for the top job,” Mc Kinnon added.
According to Mc Kinnon one of the attributes which would make Major a good president is his passionate concern for the betterment of players.
“Mr. Major has been diligent and hard working in trying to lift the level and standard of the game in Guyana.
“With Mr. Major at the helm and a team of successful businessmen with him I can see Guyana getting to at lease the Gold Cup that has evaded us through the lack of vision by the present administrators who fail to match the passion of the players,” he added.
“I sincerely wish him and his team every success and urge all stakeholders, supporters and voting associations to put aside all sentiments and think about the future of the game and vote for Mr. Major and his team to manage the beautiful game of football in Guyana. Let our players and coaches earn a decent living from the sport. They have given so much with so little returns in the past. The time for change is now, let us rally around this team and hold them accountable. For the game. For the world,” said Mc Kinnon.
Pollard, the former national captain pointed out that over the years the GFF has been accused of having an autocratic management style, especially in the decision making process.
“In most cases decisions have been made by personnel who disregard the realities of the sport and to a large extent the players, “e he charged.
“As a player I can categorically state in my 17 years of playing football with the national team, I have experienced challenges. However, when Mr. Aubrey “Shanghai” Major came on board in 2003 as the organizing secretary for the National Team he paid attention to the players’ welfare; he took the time no one took before to listen to the cries of the players and more importantly, he used this information to make drastic changes to assist players in that regard,” said Pollard.
“Finding the right management style is critical for any organization’s success and Mr. Major has proven himself, time and time again that he can find the balance to make decisions that will benefit both the organizations and the players,” he added.
Pollard said Major was instrumental in having himself, Randolph Jerome, Collie Hercules, Jermaine Scott enter into the realm of professional football.
“Based on his notable work ethic, drive and most of all his passion and love for the sport, I am confident that the presidency of the Guyana Football Federation is an ideal role for him and can only be seen as a natural progression. Guyana Football Federation at this time cannot ask for a better leader who will work religiously for the betterment of the sport in our country,” said Pollard.
