Lumumba supports call for football players' association
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
March 20, 2004
Chairman of the Camptown Interim Management Com-mittee Odinga Lumumba has thrown his weight behind the creation of a players' association.
Reacting to a call for such a body from senior national midfielder Neil Hernandez, Lumumba said he is willing to lend his time and expertise to the realization of such a body. Hernandez made the call citing unfair treatment of footballers by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
"I think that it is a fantastic idea and long overdue. It shows that these players are much more intelligent than people think and have been oppressed. The GFF is not sensitive to needs of these players. Quite frankly I think that the players are treated like garbage," Lumumba said.
"Every sport has players' representatives so why can't footballers in Guyana have representatives?
"I would certainly give my energies and expertise to the creation of such an association. I have to look at it carefully to make sure that there is no conflict of interest. I intend to talk to a lawyer and make sure that we don't breach any of FIFA's rules.
"The players need representation. This must not only be at the club level. Players should have representatives on the disciplinary committee and other areas. They must unionized. They must come together as one to have strength," the chairman added.
In an article published in yesterday's issue of Stabroek News, Hernandez called for the establishment of a players' association. Hernandez also revealed that on three occasions snakes had crawled into the national camp and claimed that was one of the reasons he walked out of the camp.
"How could we have players dwelling with snakes in this day and age? Are we in stone age?" Lumumba asked. "It is ridiculous. It is unheard of. And it is not right. These players are human beings and should be treated that way.
"Another issue I think that the players' association would have been able to deal with is that of Marlon Hendricks. This guy gets suspended with no due process. Camptown has an important game this weekend where there is $500,000 prize. He can't play. These are poor people. Marlon is the goalkeeper. He is a critical player. I have spoken to many persons and was told that the GFF can allow Hendricks to play pending the meeting of the disciplinary committee. To suspend Hendricks now is basically sabotage.
"This strengthens the cause for a players' association and can open a can of worms. The time has come for players to be treated as humans. The time has come for those in charge to put players and not themselves."