For many individuals, change is often seen as a ‘bad thing’, an undesirable alteration to what is considered normal and customary. Often we are told to fear change which is dubbed ‘the unknown’ because it is unpredictable.
However what if the constant and to an extent the past is worse than the novel. Today’s Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Electoral Congress is one such instance where such a decision must be made, where the elected membership must decide on the future governance structure of the sport.
Their choices are the ‘Team Unity’ outfit led by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Wayne Forde’s Team Integrity group.
Both leaders are respected individuals with ‘integrity’ and are successful in their respective disciplines. The all-star cast for ‘Team Unity’ reads Attorney-At-Law Mark Waldron, Slingerz FC President Javed Ali, Kashif and Shanghai Co-Director Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Former Pele FC Secretary Robby Rambaran and Ansa McAl Marketing Director Troy Cadogan.
Alpha United President Odinga Lumumba was also part of this alliance but resigned alleging character assassination tactics by the other side. However, his resignation is yet to be confirmed by the federation.
On the other hand, Forde’s contingent comprises of 1st Vice Presidential candidate Brigadier General (retired) Bruce Lovell, 2nd Vice Presidential hopeful and former GFF Vice President Rawlston Adams, 3rd Vice President Nominee Attorney-at-Law Thandi McCallister, Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) Chief Dion Innis, Essequibo Football Association President Magzene Stewart, Berbice Football Association President Keith O’Jeer and Rupununi Football Association (RFA) executive Brian Rodrigues.
Similar to their opponents, Team Integrity suffered a late withdrawal as Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC President Loring Benons stepped down due to the army’s decision to maintain neutrality during the entire process.
In order to separate the two sides due to their honourable leadership, the composition of the slates must be analyzed in their bid to garner the magical number of 12 out of the 22 total votes.
With regards to Team Integrity, their biggest question mark entails their lack of experience within the sporting dynamic. While many of the members are accomplished in their respective fortes, the team is seen by many as inexperienced.
Lovell, McAllister and Rodrigues are noted for their abilities in the institution of the sport and for many, what is needed is experience to chart the way forward as they might be overwhelmed at the burden inherited if elected.
Similarly, the selection of O’Jeer as a member of the executive is not favourable in the eyes of several as he often grouped with the unpopular former GFF boss Christopher Matthias, under whose watch a Normalization Committee was instituted. While most cannot criticize Forde’s team of possessing a corrupt streak, some argue that the team is not ready to hold such an office and that what is needed is a steady and unwavering team to guide the nation’s football after years of deceptive practices.
At first glance, Team Unity due to their high profile roster might inspire confidence among the electorate. They possess individuals who hold high offices and that have been part and parcel of the sport for many years. For as many positives the group brings, they are as many negatives.
However the presence of Major and Lumumba within this alliance will also serve as an albatross to the party’s hopes of attaining the federation’s control. While the Kashif and Shanghai Co-Director must be praised for his promotional skills owing to the long standing tourney of the same name, he is not without fault.
The recently released forensic audit conducted by esteemed firm Ram and McRae’s for the period of 2011-2012 puts the then organizing secretary in bad light, with the biggest question mark resulting over the switched World Cup Qualifier involving CONCACAF giant Mexico.
This qualifier was hijacked from the nation under the guise that it would have been even more lucrative to be staged in the United States of America. However the financial report from the resulting switch is still unknown despite Major’s position among the top brass during the period.
Why has Major and the GFF during that period been tight lipped on the matter given the fact that clarity needs be attained?
Maybe we will have to ask the Columbian firm that was part of the process for answers since the involved individuals have not been forthcoming.
One has to wonder if the commissioning of the Ethics Committee by the Normalization Committee before the submission of the respective slates for vetting would have eliminated individuals from participating. I guess we will never know.
Let’s not forget about the national teams kit deal from supplier ‘+One’ that never materialized and resulted in the federation suffering losses. All of this occurred under the watch of the then organizing secretary who now has aspirations for a promotion to the post of Vice President.
On the other hand, Lumumba will always be seen as a divisive figure locally. Despite his alleged resignation, the former Government official is more burden than blessing to Hughes’ cause for Presidential aspiration.
One only has to look at his record at the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) level to get a glimpse of his demeanor when in positions of power.
Let’s not forget the dismantling of several clubs under that umbrella to form his emblem Alpha United. Fast forward several years, the veteran football connoisseur as the GFA’s secretary helped to engineer over 20 million dollars in debt for that entity capped off by a disastrous Banks Beer Cup tourney.
The mere fact that Hughes even formed an alliance with Lumumba and Major shows that he is unaware of the political landscape within the sport and simply taints his image and declaration as a symbol for change. The esteemed Attorney needs to explain how is it change when the individuals from the past are a recurring theme?
Are we saying that our leaders for the sport should remain relicts of the past? We are better than that and when the time comes for the voting process to commence, we must exercise our franchise in the favour of actual change and not for personal intentions.
Vote for ones that matter the most, the players and for football.
