Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Christopher Matthias yesterday said that the emphasis of the recent CONCACAF congress in Panama City, Panama last week was to ascertain the developmental thrust of CFU, CONCACAF and FIFA while sharing a measure of the GFF’s concept.
In an exclusive interview following his return Matthias stated:“The members of CFU, CONCACAF and FIFA embraced the direction we would have charted for development while insisting and reminding us that the game is more than just football, it’s about human and social development, a concept framed by former FIFA president Joao Havelange and engineered by current FIFA president Sepp Blatter.”
“To this end we must have clearly defined structures, systems, policies and programs which are visible to all the stakeholders in order gain the multitude of FIFA’s resources for administrative, technical, material and tactical development. We need to create a unique brand that could be marketed so that the discipline of football could become our country’s most loved sport. Thus every association, club and general council must be properly structured and they must zero tolerance for match fixing, drug use, corruption, domestic violence or any ills which detract from this discipline. When such an environment is obtained, FIFA resources will be in abundance for our development,” added Matthias.
Matthias posited that importance was not only placed on defining
structures, programmes and policies for development but also on accountability and transparency at every level which if absent, will cause the GFF not to benefit from any resources going forward.
“CONCACAF is moving in a serious direction with regards to Caribbean football and is bent on regaining back the trust and confidence of all stakeholders as they try reestablishing that this is an institution of honour despite the wanton indiscretion of a few. Going forward we will meet with all the various stakeholders on the way forward inclusive of ex-national players, current internationals, coaches, referees, religious community, corporate society, representative fans and spectators, media and the government,” added Matthias.
Questioned if any proposals were made at the forum, Matthias opined “We want them to consider moving the GOAL Project because we feel its current location is not conducive to the development of football and we will engage the Government on this request.”
