Dear Editor,
The explanation offered by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) concerning the inability to select a team from the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) to represent the nation’s interest in the recently concluded regional championships in The Bahamas, can’t be allowed to go unremarked. Over the years beach football in Guyana has remained confined to the Association of Upper Demerara (Linden) and as such it is not a national sport, encompassing other associations. For how many years has the GBFA been in existence, and is it an affiliate of the GFF? Does the GBFA have a constitution and how many affiliates are on its roster? Do they produce an annual audited financial statement to the GFF, along with the relevant minutes of meetings? If, not, then the GFF’s constitutional clause pertaining to “loss of membership” becomes applicable. Suffice it to say soliciting sponsorship from corporate bodies would prove extremely difficult, taking into consideration that the GFF as the governing body has an obligation to ensure that football remains a marketable product.
This now brings me to an essential question. Did the GFF grant approval for the GBFA to participate in the regional tournament? Was a letter of correspondence dispatched to the regional body and a cc forwarded to the GBFA? Taking the cost factor and debt into consideration, in addition to the GBFA’s inability to expand the sport to other associations, why didn’t the GFF from the outset pull the rug from under the feet of the GBFA, and avoid any undue criticism and possible sanction(s) from the regional body?
Meanwhile, in relation to the National League, I was not surprised to have read in SN (May15) an article captioned ‘Alpha United’s 8-0 mauling of Amelia’s Ward marred by ground concern.’ The club’s head coach was quoted as saying in a post-match comment: “Honestly the venue is not conducive to football at this level and is really a health hazard to the players. It’s sad to know that our footballers are asked to compete at this venue and we will be submitting a report on the ground to the relevant authority to ensure we don’t have to play on venues like this again.”
Editor, at this juncture may I enquire if the GFF still pays an administrator for the National League, and what is the role and function of the Match Commissioner? That no prior examination of the Wisburg Secondary School ground, the venue for the match, was done at least 24 hours in advance leaves much to be desired. At the end of the day the National League, which is funded by FIFA remains the highest level of club football locally. And it’s a burning shame that after four years, venues are still a problem, especially those venues which don’t have basic amenities, ie, dressing rooms, functioning washrooms and a proper warm-up area. But this comes as no surprise, as over the years the Grounds Committee, one of the nineteen sub-committees of the GFF has never functioned effectively. From all indications it has gotten worse.
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
