Dear Editor,
To the best of my knowledge, the coordination of Inter-Association Football, has been ongoing for over two decades or maybe longer, at the behest of the nation’s governing authority, Guyana Football Association (then) and the Guyana Foot-ball Federation (GFF) (now)! However, for whatever reason the current administration is continuing with this outdated and non-productive mode of play which isn’t conducive for development and leaves much to be desired. This is even more troubling when it’s taken into serious consideration that within its employ the GFF have a “Technical Development Officer (TDO)”!
Editor, almost ten years ago, in a private discussion with the TDO, I implored that: “Guyana may be the only country in the world that plays football at the Inter-Association level, albeit, Inter-Constituency, Parish, State et.al”. How can this format seriously develop the nation’s football, when some Associations have clubs devoid of a well-structured nursery programme! Further, selecting an Inter-Association squad to pursue training, enables room for “skulduggery” since the appointed coach due to time constraints for preparation would be more comfortable coaching the nucleus of the squad from his club.
In the final analysis if the powers that be are seriously committed to meaningful development then it must be compulsory that each Association submits its “Calendar of Activities” wherein General Council Meetings, Workshops, Seminars and Competitions (various divisions) are all documented for submission within a specific time-frame. Thereafter, the onus is upon the GFF to coordinate the relevant competitions, at all divisions (age limits). National Club Championships must always take precedence, over Inter-Association Football Competitions! with the winner and runner-up from each of the eight associations participating in a round-robin/knockout format. Apart from attracting sixteen participants, in excess of two-four months in preparing for a competition uninterrupted is more meaningful.
Editor, with an under-17 Inter-Association Tournament scheduled to commence on 07. 05. 16, how many Associations would have played any under-17 competition domestically for the year? While the traditional May-June rainfall is seemingly already upon us, earlier than anticipated, preparations would be significantly curtailed, owing to the nature of poor drainage at grounds. Whose foresight, or lack of it, chose May, to start the tournament anyhow?
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
