GFF's vehicle busted
Gymnasuim deemed "no parking zone"
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
June 14, 2002
Exactly three months after the National Sports Commission granted permission for the Guyana Football Federation to park its bus in the compound of the National Gymnasium, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport has pulled the plug on the arrangement and has ordered that the federation desist with immediate effect.
The GFF was notified by way of letter on Tuesday that that the 40-seater vehicle was no longer welcomed on the premises.
The letter, which was signed by Logistic Officer George Green did not give any reason for the decision but at least one football knowledgeable has speculated that it is another move by the ministry to distance itself from the federation after the humiliating stadium fiasco last year.
When contacted Green could only say that since technically there is no National Sports Commission, the decision was made at a meeting of "top management" of the ministry.
"The letter requested that the GFF rescind immediately. No reason was given," Green confirmed.
He could not say why no reason was forwarded in the letter. Green claimed that it would not be ethical for him to name those present when asked who were present at the meeting.
The GFF is yet to heed the request and up to yesterday evening the bus was still in the gymnasium compound.
One football enthusiast, who wished to remain anonymous opined that the Ministry's latest muscle flexing exercise is part of an orchestrated effort to go after the GFF.
He pointed out that there was enough space in the compound for at least 12 buses to park and the GFF's vehicle was the only one parked there.
"It clearly shows that the ministry is out to slam the GFF, one way or another. They have not even seen it fit to offer a reason why it would not be possible to accommodate the bus any more. What is the public to think?" he asked.
The bus was brought in to Guyana last year with the main intention of shuttling national teams around the country. It was first parked in front of the GFF's office in Rupunini Street, Bel Air Park but was removed after approximately two months after residents voiced concerns. The governing body for local football them wrote to the National Sports Commission, who on March 11 granted permission to use the gymnasium compound. Stabroek Sport understands that the federation will be replying to the ministry soon.
Since the stadium fiasco last year, the ministry has dealt the GFF with a long spoon.
The ministry is yet to respond to the GFF's request for land to build a technical centre (formerly called stadium) and at least one top government official has stated that no land will be forth coming.