With the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) elections constitutionally slated to be staged before the conclusion of November, A New and United Guyana (ANUG) member Akanni Blair has officially confirmed his candidacy for the top post of the entity.
This was disclosed during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport. According to Blair, 48, his team which consists of qualified individuals from various sectors, possesses the requisite acumen which can chart a positive direction for the discipline, moving it away from its current status and position of decline.
He confirmed his candidacy, declaring, “Yes! Because I believe with the team of young professionals along with the mix of technically strong personnel we are sure to move the game of football in the right direction. And away from the slump that it is currently in.”
The UDFA is constitutionally mandated to stage its electoral congress before the conclusion of this month, following an initial extension from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in November 2019. Presently, former UDFA President Collis Gifth is the only other person who has acknowledged he is running for the helm of the association.
Blair noted that his team, if elected to govern the affairs of the association, will deliver the tenets and attributes of professionalism and transparency, as well as the required sponsorship to propel the sport to a higher level. He added, “We will bring professionalism, secure much needed sponsorship and bring transparency!”
He opined that the current administration of the UDFA has failed to provide the ideal vision for the discipline, adding, “The UDFA has no direction at the moment. It is like a train on no rails heading to nowhere.”
According to Blair, the overall state of football in Guyana can be described as mediocre, noting that this is evident by the current administration consistently attempting different initiatives in an effort to achieve success. He affirmed, “To be satisfied with the current state of football in Guyana if to accept mediocrity. I don’t believe that the current administration of football is satisfied either because they are constantly trying new things to get it right.”
Blair further noted that the overall development of the sport is his ultimate aim. “Man in its current form will always aim for greater success, but at the moment the UDFA presidency is my only endeavour. The Presidency and the growth of football is my only endeavour”, he said.
