Unity is the way forward for football - says GFA president Colin Klass By Steve Ninvalle Stabroek News May 29, 1999 PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass was recently re-elected to serve another four-year term as head of the governing body. Since his ascendance to the post in 1989, Klass has remained in the limelight and taken his fair share of ridicule concerning his running of the sport. In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport Klass declared that unity is the way forward for the sport. "I think that we all recognise that there is a need for us to consolidate and unite as one for the good of the game. It is imperative. Without unity the road forward would be some what impervious," Klass said. The president said that high on the agenda of the new executive is the preparation of the Olympic squad. "We have agreed in principle to have the Olympic squad on the road. We also want to meet with the sub associations. There must be dialogue in terms of how they can contribute to the way forward. We will also have to address securing a technical director for the federation and look at improving relationship and making reconciliation even with persons who did not find favour with our slate." In addition, Klass said that he is determined to achieve a professionally run secretariat before his term ends. "I would also like to see up and running our education enhancement programme. Enhancing the level of education of our players and officials is important." Klass, a member of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) finance committee, revealed that during a recent trip overseas he was able to meet president of FIFA Sepp Blatter and president of CONCACAF Austin 'Jack' Warner. "I took the opportunity to bring them up to date with our electoral process, in terms of the many letters which they would have received concerning what transpired. They were very pleased at the outcome." Klass added that Warner reiterated that he had warned that with the entry of money into the system, not only the Caribbean but African countries would be faced with the bombardment of persons wanting to get on board. "As a member of CFU and GFF I was able to discuss with Blatter ways and means by which the conditions for the release of the FIFA funds could be eased somewhat as it relates to the Caribbean. The conditions [for release of funds] are very stringent and most of the Caribbean countries have been facing difficulties in meeting them. I must say that Mr Blatter confirmed that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the release be made in a systematic way and that some of the conditions are eased to assist countries which are not able to fulfil some requirements." Quizzed on when Guyana will be entitled to another release of funds the GFF president stated that releases are based on submission of projects to FIFA along with budgets. FIFA has already started disbursing parts of US$1,000,000 promised to each association. Guyana has received US$50,000, some of which Klass pointed out went to alleviate the federation's debts. "The president [Blatter] had agreed in principle that the first release would assist you in reducing your debt," Klass said. Touching on the AGM, Klass said that he decided to go ahead with the election in the interest of the sport despite the constitutional breach by the opposing slate in not sending in the list of candidates on time. "I thought that in the interest of sport and football development, barring the fact that the entire nomination list was late, that it was the right thing to do so that all and sundry would have an opportunity, under the existing conditions, to participate and at the end of the day allow football to win." Questioned on if there was a rift within the ranks of the newly elected executive of the federation, still in its embryonic stage, Klass replied in the negative and added that at present only time will tell if the members of the executive are 100 per cent behind football. "As time goes on we will see how committed members are. There will be challenges but at this point we have much more support than we had before. So we should be able to overcome them," Klass said. "I think that it was premature for the person who penned the article about there being a rift within our ranks. To the best of my knowledge there is none. There were some teething problems in terms of communication but they have been sorted out." The GFF president labelled as making a mountain out of a molehill, the issue of treasurer Aubrey Henry being selected to speak at the launching of the Grace Kennedy Sports Gen competition in his absence. "I attempted to get to the designate general secretary but could not. As I earlier said there was some problem of communication whereby we were not linking up. In the best interest of allowing the entire process to run smoothly I thought it fitting to identify someone to represent me at that forum. The person I identified while not being able to contact the general secretary was Henry. I don't think that it was a breach of protocol. I just didn't want the association to be embarrassed by not being represented," Klass added. Klass said that the installation of executives is imminent. "At our first general council, which should be held within the next ten days we'll have the formal installation. However, the business of football is proceeding barring that formality." Klass disclosed that the issue of who will fill the post of first vice-president will be resolved shortly. Winston Callender and Colin Howard had tied on nine votes thrice for that position at the annual general meeting. "The executive will have to vote to decide who will fill that position. I really don't think that it should be seen as a race between two persons. I would hope that regardless of who wins all will continue to contribute to the development of football. From here on we will proceed as a unit." Responding to the question on whether the GFF will implement a system of employing a paid general secretary, Klass said that the local federation should follow the pattern designed by FIFA. "It is a pattern that has been set by FIFA and followed effectively. It has been done in Trinidad, Jamaica, Antigua and a number of other Caribbean countries. It lends to the improving of professionalism as far as administration of the association is concerned. It also enhances communication. FIFA is prepared to support the upkeep of that appointed individual whether it is salary or whatever so as to enhance to functioning of the organisation. I believe that we should have someone who is permanent and not part time. I will be looking to have the support of the executive towards us achieving that objective--an office that is professionally run and operated in keeping with mandates given to us by the international governing body." Over the years the general secretary's duties have been voluntary. "Also coming out the fruitful meeting with Blatter was the disclosure of a programme called GOAL which is geared at helping out the [poorer] countries. It is being designed by Michel Platini and will look at areas on how Guyana and other ...countries can come on par with those in Europe. A lot of input will come from FIFA. It's in the embryo stage and should be finalised shortly. I will be working assiduously towards ensuring that FIFA's contribution to Guyana will be matched by that of the government as is done in Jamaica. I think we will bear the same or better fruits if our government does the same." Klass said that in addition to meeting Blatter and Platini, he had the privilege of meeting Winnie Madzikela Mandela, ex-wife of South African president Nelson Mandela, to whom he extended an invitation to visit Guyana. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples