THE Football Stadium fiasco is nothing but a disgrace. Some people felt that they could fool the people by making promises while others deliberately confused the situation.

Let me immediately make it crystal clear that the Honourable Minister of Sport Ms Gail Teixeira is a long-standing friend and colleague of mine. Further, I am convinced that she had good intentions.

THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION
An objective look at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) along with a critical analysis and constructive criticism will certainly lead the way for the development of Football in Guyana.

The Guyana Football Association, renamed the Guyana Football Federation, was formed in the year 1902. Out of the necessity to get football properly organised and in order to regulate and develop the discipline, the association was formed.

Today the Federation comprises various sub-associations and other such bodies as the Federation may determine from time to time. The federation is the only body in Guyana that conducts all negotiations with regard to the control, playing and management of football in Guyana, and along with agencies and organisations overseas which control the conduct of Football in overseas territories. Furthermore, the federation is the official body that represents the football playing population of Guyana locally and internationally.

Significantly, the confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) was formed in the year 1961 to regulate the playing of football in thirty-five countries and the Guyana Football Federation is a full member.

The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) was established in 1978 to control football in the Caribbean and the Guyana Football Federation is one of the twenty-six-member organisation. It is important to learn that only the GFF from Guyana is qualified to be a member of the CFU and CONCACAF.

In 1904, the Federation of International de Football Association (FIFA) was fomed. The GFF is the only organisation in Guyana which is and can be affiliated to FIFA.

FIFA is the supreme body over the playing of football in the World and this body comprises 205 members.

According to a Sworn Affidavit to the court of Guyana the GFF in 2000 furnished its plans and programmes on various aspects of the development of football in Guyana which it presented to FIFA. According to the GFF’s Sworn Affidavit, these plans have been approved and are now being implemented. It is further stated that the implementation of these programmes and plans is currently being paid for by FIFA. Page 6, paragraph (c) of the GFF’s sworn documents reads: “Conducting negotiations for the building of a Sports Stadium in Guyana by FIFA, FIFA has agreed to finance the building of such a stadium in Guyana, if Guyana continues to be a member of FIFA. It is estimated that the building of this stadium would bring into Guyan approximately US$20,000,000 which is equivalent to three billion, six hundred million Guyana dollars (G$3,600,000.000)”.

This and many others were dangled to people and they succumbed to the promises in order for some people to benefit personally, including being elected to positions in the various International Bodies mentioned before.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Today, it is imperative that the Government of Guyana via CARICOM and other International Agencies take a closer look at the functioning of local and international organisation.

The sworn document also revealed that FIFA makes an annual grant of US $250,000 to the Guyana Football Federation.

Recently, I heard the President of CONCACAF Jack Warner pleading for someone with status in sport in this country to attend the Under-17 Football Final in Trinidad and Tobago. He said all bills would be paid to and from Guyana and in the hotels. The GFF members, particularly the president are travelling overseas and living a high live while our poor footballers are running to beg for a football and a passage to travel from one ground to another.

The Government of Guyana must assert itself for there is the perception that the people who are doing the genuine work for the development of sport in this country are not allowed to function and do their work properly while sycophants are allowed to live a fat life.

COMPETITIONS
Where have all the competitions gone?

From Pee-Wee to Demico First Division. The said sworn affadavit made reference to an under-17, 18 and 20 years competitions league or competition.

Whatever happened to the National Bank of Industry and Commerce knockout competition? Was the National Presentation of Awards and Prizes by the Federation a success? What about the Western Union approximately $3,500,000 sponsorship? All are waiting to hear about the negotiations with Carib and ANSA McAl sponsorship to the value of $5,000,000. Oh! When will the Federal Management competition conclude? The fiasco with the Under-20 National team earlier this year is not yet explained.

Let me make it categorically clear that only the National Sports Commission is coaching and organising School Football. The just concluded “Teach them young” programme, the Coca Cola Secondary School competition and the Inter-Guiana Games Football tournament speak for the National Sports Commission.

It is an established fact that parents, communities and Government are motivating and preparing the children’s positive attitude and interest, while the associations are making money from the value-added and finished product.

Colin Klass was elected president of the now Guyana Football Federation in 1990. The standard of football in Guyana is dropping like rotten mangoes, from 130th to 170th in the world ratings. Today, we have a powerful money hunting Football Executive which includes an Auditor, Finance Controller, Accountant, Banker and diplomats.

STUCTURES
In 1994 the Georgetown Football League broke away from the GFA. The various sub-associations continue to quarrel and malign each other. Today, it is clear that the politics in football is about who could get a trip overseas and who could buy a drink for who?

The Guyana Football Federation must respect the sub-associations and all must recognise and respect the clubs. The structure must function in a disciplined way.

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION
The National Sports Commission was established by the Government to work towards the development of sport in this country. The National Sports Commission is a legitimate body, established by National Sports Commission Act 1993.

All National Sports Associations are expected to do a minimum of three things annually. First, hold annual elections; secondly, submit programmes at the beginning of the year; and thirdly, submit an audited financial statement to the National Sports Commission. It is clear that some associations are failing to adhere to these requirements. However, some are managing to survive in a delinquent way by getting around the national sports commission and doing their own thing.

National associations must not be allowed to do as they want in the country and then seek cover under the International Body. Sponsors must demand accountability; spectators must be objective, supportive and fully behind fair-play and discipline.

National sports associations must emulate those that are functioning with credibility. The Guyana Cricket Board and the Guyana Squash Racquet Association are among those that are worthy of emulation.

Far too many people are sporting with sport. Many associations are only functioning on paper. The Government via the Ministry of Sport, the NSC and several other ministries such as Education, the Poverty Alleviation Programme, the Youth Choice Initiative, the Lotto Fund and Sponsorships are doing a great lot for sport.

However, some people are immune to do things for themselves and against government. Hence, may I warn: do not touch us or we well talk and please do not tickle us for we will laugh last and laugh best.

The Tanzanian Government imprisoned members of the Football Executive including the president and secretary for corruption and FIFA banned the association because of Government interference. The Government of Tanzania asserted itself and defended its people against corruption.

Later a new Executive was elected and recently FIFA announced its recognition of the new and clean Football representatives in Tanzania.

The Guyana Football Federation executive should resign en bloc immediately.