Dear Editor,
Permit me space to respond to an article appearing in the December 15thedition of the Stabroek News titled, `Guyana’s football to get Pro League come 2021’. Both the headline and the contents of the article left me befuddled. I was already under the impression that Guyana had a professional league, which is called the “Elite League”.
The Elite League (EL) was established in 2015 and it represented the highest level of Guyana’s football. The intention of the Normalization Committee, in conjunction with FIFA, was to establish Guyana’s first professional league. The GFF had amended its constitution to acknowledge the clubs that participated in the EL and those clubs were given voting powers at GFF decision-making forums (a first for Guyana’s football). Moreover, for the first time players and officials were remunerated for each game and clubs had to reform and meet stringent requirements, in conformity with FIFA and CONCACAF’s Club rules, in order to join the EL. Last I checked, the EL was still functioning as Guyana’s only professional league.
Fast forward to 2020, we are hearing of the formation of the “first” professional league, which is mystifying considering the EL. The media instead of publishing whatever statements emanating from the GFF should enquire what is the status of the EL? What makes this second attempt at a Pro league different from the EL? Is this new league necessary considering the time and resources already spent on the EL? Wouldn’t it make sense to just strengthen and improve upon the EL’s infrastructure? Is it only with the participation and assistance from UEFA that a Caribbean football league can be considered “professional”?
The questions are too numerous and the footballing community needs answers.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Urling
