Praise to the GFF...
Sports Comment
Stabroek News
September 22, 2002
Did I read right. Is Guyana now ranked 172 in the world, up from the 176 where it resided? Then if so, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) must be doing something right. They deserve kudos. The pessimism that engulfed me for a while with the feeling that we were slowly drifting to FIFA’s 203 cellar position has been replaced by optimism that our national football team might someday be ranked 100th in the world. I would not go so far as to aim for Trinidad and Tobago’s 42nd or Jamaica’s 57th, or even Brazil’s number one ranked status, those achievements are light years away. We simply don’t have the technical expertise or financial wherewithal to reach there at least not in the near future. Perhaps the GFF might prove me wrong. I hope they do.
Guyana achieved their lowest ranking in August of 1999 when they slipped to 184th. Their highest ever ranking was 133rd which was achieved in November of 1993. In between, they were ranked number 177th from January to July of this year.
But while the other members of the GFF currently are in the Penthouse, GFF president Colin Klass is not with them. Now before you say that the GFF president seems to be Stabroek Sports favourite whipping boy don’t. That’s not so - `honest injun’. There are other more important issues facing sports that need comment. But it’s just that Klass made a statement to this newspaper on Thursday that is bewildering. His statement was that the GFF would not accept former GFL president Christopher Matthias’ resignation because the copy of the letter sent to the GFF was not signed. Perhaps that may be so. Maybe Matthias forgot to sign it. But the way I see it Matthias was simply being courteous. I may be wrong but the GFF has nothing to do with Matthias’ resignation. Nor has the GFL. Matthias is a voluntary worker who offered his services.
He clearly stated that an atmosphere of greed, treachery, back-biting and back-stabbing were the reasons for his resignation. And while it is the case that high-ranking officials of sports and other bodies must have their resignation accepted by a Board of Directors or General Council or other such equally constituted body, I see no reason for this happening in this particular case.
However, given the allegations of financial impropriety that engulfs the GFL at present it can be argued that Matthias’ resignation can be seen as the skipper abandoning the sinking ship before the last man goes overboard or to be more specific, before something damaging to his name and reputation comes up. Yet there is still no reason why Matthias’ resignation should not be accepted.
There has not been any allegation that he has done anything wrong. And even if he has, that’s all the more reason for his resignation to be accepted, so that a proper investigation can be carried out without him there using his presidential powers and influence to block or interfere with the outcome. Then, if he is found to be guilty, the proper legal course can be instituted against him.
It was reported in Stabroek Sport on Wednesday that Klass had accepted Matthias’ resignation. Klass has not denied this. So why issue a statement saying the GFF did not accept the resignation. They didn’t have to.