Dear Editor,
It is indeed regrettable and with a sense of disbelief to accept that football has been placed on the back-burner by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for the past five years. During this period there has been no elections to elect a body to manage football in Essequibo. As a result, for the most part, the sport has been dormant except for a few matches organized by private individuals. This in itself is unacceptable, disingenuous and smacks in the face of the GFF whose prime responsibility is to ensure and protect the viability and legitimacy of its constituents.
As a sports enthusiast and former footballer, I am appealing for the resuscitation of the Essequibo Football Association through credible elections and for the GFF to establish concrete measures to build the capacity and facilities within the region. Followers and persons willing to participate in a transparent process are yearning to have this opportunity, including those who have quit due to frustration and the dictatorial manner in which the sport is being managed.
It cannot be business as usual given that the Government has invested millions of dollars to enhance facilities and GFF dolling out massive programmes to promote and develop football across the country. What has GFF done for Essequibo? I can only speculate that due to an extinct body, Essequibo has missed out. Get this right GFF and let football prosper once again under a duly elected body.
Sincerely,
Elroy Stephney
