Following recent rumours of a potential run for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Presidency, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Commander John Flores yesterday disputed the claim as he said his priority is volleyball.
Responding to the claims of him possibly running for head of the GFF, Flores, who is currently President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) said during an exclusive interview yesterday with Stabroek Sports, he was uncertain how such rumours began.
“I have no interest in football Presidency,” Flores said, “I was not even approached by anyone. I am President of the [GVA]. I am committed to volleyball alone.”
The GFF is expected to hold their Electoral Congress on November 14 at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, while the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) will have theirs on October 17 at the Sleep-In International Hotel.
Sticking to his commitments, Flores rolled out a few potential strides for his volleyball fraternity while lauding the recently returned men’s national team for their efforts in the 32 CSV tournaments held in Brazil. The army officer admitted that while he would have liked to have brought home the spoils, he was very proud of the 12-man team for the maturity and hunger displayed during the competition.
“They represented the flag and they represented the country well. It was no walk over, but generally it showed that we who are classed as category one are on different levels from those guys from Argentina, Colombia and Brazil who are more of categories 4 and 5.”
“They were more experienced than us,” he said, “especially when we have not played international volleyball for nearly 20 some years. We have a lot more work to do, we could be right up there but we have to continue to participate in more overseas competitions.”
Flores also confirmed the playing of a few tournaments for the remainder of 2015, some of which include a Beach Female Intercontinental Cup to be held in Uruguay. He said due to the beach formats which are played on a two versus two basis, the GVF will be grooming a total of four females to represent the country at the tourney which is slated for November.
Funding for the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers tournament which is hosted by the GVF in Guyana has already been confirmed and will spike off in the latter part of this month at the National Gymnasium with expected participation from Trinidad, Brazil and French Guiana.
Meanwhile, an open second division tournament will be held at the Port Mourant outdoor hardcourt during this month in hope of grooming more players. The Cinderella County of Essequibo will also be exposed to a few competitions inclusive in those are the residents of Region Two Mainstay, who displayed exceptional skills during the recently concluded heritage day celebrations in which volleyball was featured. (Clifton Ross)
