Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 15, 2013 Sports
Dear Sir,
While I laud the expression of interest shown by Sports Journalist, Iva Wharton, in providing coverage of names and views of presidential hopefuls for the presidency of the Guyana Football Federation, when the Annual General Meeting is convened on 12.04.13 which also includes the Elections of Office Bearers, Editor, I was forced to re-read the article on three occasions, to ensure that at the mature age of 50 years, my eyes had not deceived me. Or, my mental faculties had not wandered astray into sub consciousness, as it relates to two articles by Iva Wharton published in, in S.N 06.03.13 Captioned “Harmon plans to put in place structure for football development, and Lumumba not contesting GFF Presidency”.
Suffice to say, is Harmon being honest with himself and sincere with the football fraternity, in pursuit of the GFF’s presidency, that after a period of 14 years, the individual has once more resurfaced. It was in 1999 that Harmon allowed the then incumbent Colin Klass to outfox him, into allowing the memorandum governing the AGM to be violated, despite my strong objection. The contentious issue was allowing the then West Demerara Football Sub-Association to replace its Hon. Secretary, as a representative. This was against a previously circulated document to all sub-associations and affiliates outlining that all matters pertaining to the AGM, must reach the then GFA, Secretary, fourteen days prior. So, how come the West Demerara executive, could have convened an emergency meeting without its Secretary, a day before the AGM? That was my point of contention; since a vote was been given away on a platter, in addition to another from the Women’s Federation, when the former Technical Director, Gerald Laurie, was the preferred choice to vote for the Referees Association.
With the closure of nominations less than 2 weeks away, how does Harmon intend to convince all associations and affiliates of the GFF, with voting rights that he is the best choice for the presidency? Since the nomination will require a seconder. Further, does he have a “manifesto” outlining: aims, objectives, vision and a 4 year development plan? With “examples always better then precepts”, what contribution has Harmon made to the continued development of the sport, over the last 14 years? Even if it meant donating a pair of football socks or shin-pads, to a youth player, while the bigger picture, assisting Pouderoyen, the area of his birth either administratively or with infrastructural; How many, if any at all among clubs in the respective associations of Bartica, Berbice, East Bank, East Demerara, Georgetown, West and Upper Demerara knows of Joe Harmon, as an individual connected to football, rather than a member of parliament?
Finally, Lumumba’s commendable response to the GFF’s presidency, “The post of GFF president requires full time responsibility and he does not have the time to dedicate to the job, adding that it would be unfair to the sport if he does it on a part time basis,” however, I would be partly supportive of a particular comment from an additional question that was put forward to Lumumba. When asked about his views on Attorney-at-Law and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon and Guyana Defence Force Colonel Bruce Lovell, who have confirmed that they will contest the post, Lumumba said: “Either one of them will be good for the federation as they are men of integrity.”
Odinga, are you serious, where is Harmon’s integrity? That during the period of 14 years, 1999-2013 Harmon never once in 3 Annual General Meetings of the GFF, attempted to challenge Klass for the presidency but with Klass out of the way the time is now ripe to mount a challenge, coincidentally after 14 years! Is this a sign of cowardice, opportunism or for political expediency? And in Harmon’s own words, “it’s going to be a very short and sharp campaign.” With the period for the closure of nominations, steadfastly approaching can Harmon truly convince all and sundry that he’s the right choice? Would Lumumba become his campaign manager? If so, then politics surely makes strange bedfellows.
Lester Sealey.
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