In what is being called the best congress ever by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Bartica Football Association (BFA) Vice-President Carmel Williams was ratified as a Committee Member while the Judiciary Committee vacancies were filled when the entity staged its Ordinary Congress yesterday.
Staged at the Herdsmanston Lodge in Queenstown, it was a far cry from the volatile forums that typified the previous Congresses as it was held without a hint of controversy. Attending the congress were all member associations inclusive of the eight Elite League clubs.
Williams was approved by the membership to hold the post of Committee Member, in the process replacing Guyana Defence Force (GDF) President Lorin Benons who withdrew from the position prior to the commencement of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) elections in 2015.
Benons’s withdrawal was due to a decision by the GDF club to remain neutral ahead of then congress. In terms of the committees, Dr. Clement McEwan and Whittington Braithwaite were approved to comprise that Disciplinary Committee while Bevon Currie and Angela Waldron was ratified to host posts in the Appeals Committee.
On the other hand, Keoma Gray and Lear Goring were approved to be a part of the Ethics Committee. GFF Boss Wayne Forde during an invited comment following the conclusion of the event said the forum was conducted in an exceptional manner, noting “It is a fine example if where we are going in sport, we had some through provoking debates but ultimately the congress was well received in every aspect”.
Asked about the process that was utilized to select Williams to the post as well as the members for the respective committees, Forde noted that the names were submitted and approved unanimously by the membership.
According to Forde the challenges faced by each member association is not unique, declaring that intention of the GFF is “To empower them to perform”.
He noted that the launch of the u-17 tournament and its contractual arrangement is part of the drive in providing “members with the tools” to go forward, declaring “It’s the posture taken by the executives and it bodes well for the GFF”.
Questioned when is the next slated congress, he said while an ordinary congress is slated to be held next year, the possibility exists that an extra ordinary congress will be staged this year at a yet to be determined date.
