Outgoing TD pleads for end to chaos, disunity and treachery

Nov 29, 2012 Sports

– tenders resignation to GFF

By Rawle Welch
“I have failed on two previous occasions to resolve the issues that affect Guyana’s football so I can tell you that there will not be another coming of Jamal Shabazz,” the former Technical Director (TD) of the ‘Golden Jaguars’ told a gathering of media personnel summoned to bid farewell to someone who was instrumental in orchestrating a change in the football landscape in Guyana.
The parable speaking TD held a press briefing at the Signature Inn (formerly Raddison Suites) in Queenstown yesterday to apprise the media about his decision to resign from the job which he said was mainly due to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation’s (TTFF) request for him to take up full time responsibility of the national team.

Outgoing Technical Director Jamal Shabazz (centre) addresses the media following his decision to resign from the post yesterday.

Shabazz, who shared the Head Table with Brazilian Trainer Americo Falopa, Team Manager Mark Xavier, good friend Kashif Muhammad and Head Coach Wayne Dover touched on a wide range of topics during the briefing, before ending in an emotional state after expressing his love for Guyana footballers and its people.
The TD whose first stint with the team lasted for three years (2005-08) returned the same year for his second spell which culminated a few days ago after he tendered his resignation, but spearheaded a period which saw Guyana reach its farthest in World Cup Football qualifiers, making it to the fourth round of the competition, whilst playing against world class opponents some of whom have reached the finals on many occasions.
It was definitely the brightest period in our history in the sport and it came during a time when the administration of the sport has been disappointingly entangled in bitter disputes with some of its affiliates.
All credit must be given to Shabazz, who managed to put together a squad and prepare them to the best of his ability during a difficult period.
Shabazz informed that he was given a short time to respond to the offer from the TTFF, who according to him felt that he could help the staff and team going forward after their humiliating exit at the hands of the ‘Golden Jaguars’.
He, however, blamed the chaos in our football which he reminded must not be hidden as a strong cause for his exodus, adding that he had to start thinking about his family and future even though he had grown to love this country.
“It was by no means an easy decision because I know that Guyana’s football has a lot of potential, but there are some people in the fraternity who do not want it to go anywhere. What Guyana has that many other countries in the Caribbean do not have is passion,” Shabazz said.
While pointing to the current impasse between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) as doing more harm than good for the sport, Shabazz said that the chaos, disunity and treachery that currently permeate the administration of the game should be highlighted.
“If we claim to have the same interest then we should be willing to relook our positions to find a common ground. We fail to see the players or the football, but rather we see ourselves as strongmen,” Shabazz was quoted as saying.
He, however, was quick to point out that his resignation was not linked to the players’ stance.
Touching on the role the Government should play in the development of the sport, he stated that until it is recognized the part sports and culture can play in the advancement of a country then and only then will the powers that be understand the need to plug serious money into football and many other disciplines.
He added that too often pettiness is the factor that prohibits serious infusion of finance into the development of sport and according to him that stance must be challenged and changed.
Shabazz called on the Government to honour a commitment made by the previous President Bharat Jagdeo, who had promised the players a house lot each should they advance to the latter stages which they did.
Meanwhile, the outgoing TD urged the warring factions (GFF and GFA) not to wait for God to act, but rather sit and talk and come up with viable solutions to the problems that presently inundate our football.
He referred to rulers such as Muammar Ghaddafi and Hosni Mubarak as leaders who failed to listen to their nations and their fate is well known.
“Guyana is not spared of such actions and that is why we have a minority Government,” Shabazz reminded.
Quizzed on the future of the sport here, he responded by saying, ‘the future is dim, but the potential bright.’
Many positive tributes were in order for Shabazz, who many feel was among the best TD to have been retained by the GFF for quite some time.