Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 06, 2013 Sports
By Rawle Welch
“Regrettably we have played a lot of football where a lot of funding had passed through the system with little or no development coupled with poor accountability and it clearly shows that a high level of incompetence existed previously,” President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias told this newspaper, during an interview yesterday, at the Federation’s Headquarters in Section ‘K’, Campbellville.
Matthias, who spearheaded a three-man delegation that also included Vice-President Collie Hercules and General Secretary Noel Adonis to the recently concluded FIFA Congress in Mauritius, assured that the investigation linked to the undisclosed proceeds from Guyana’s World Cup qualifier against Mexico is still ongoing within CONCACAF / FIFA and he is expected to receive a document shortly pertaining to the very issue.
He also revealed that sometime soon three eminent individuals will be chosen and installed to probe all financial dealings from previous administrations and to come up with their findings as mandated by FIFA /CONCACAF.
“These three individuals who will form the Integrity Committee are expected to convene in July with a mandate to complete their findings by September,” Matthias said.
Questioned on other matters that were articulated by the delegation at the Congress, the GFF President disclosed that among the other matters that were mentioned was the current bankrupt position of the Federation which is indebted to the tune of around $30million and whose coffers according to Matthias stands at just under $250,000 and the current state of the GOAL Project.
Matthias indicated that with regards to the former, he was asked to forward a document to CONCACAF for its perusal and subsequent approval or refusal for assistance to alleviate the debt burden.
In addition, the FIFA / CONCACAF expressed disappointment that the GOAL Project has not started yet, despite the release of funding.
The GFF Head, however, indicated that the process is at the retendering stage and they hope to get through that procedure shortly to deliver to FIFA for its approval and subsequent release of funds for a July start.
Matthias said FIFA / CONCACAF were adamant that all affiliates continue to exercise good governance which must be reflected in their management style that should be guided by transparency and accountability.
The two Bodies insisted that clubs must fulfill the basic requirements to be referred to as clubs and that includes administrative soundness built around tactical and technical attentiveness, while Federations and Associations must embrace similar qualities to benefit from their resources.
Quizzed on the Bodies response to the GFF’s Developmental Plan which had to be submitted at the Congress, Matthias said that it was well received since it mirrors what the two governing entities are advancing in terms of structure, policy and programmes that will allow players to play a minimum of 40 games per season.
The Federation will soon advise the associations on the policy of the FIFA / CONCACAF as it guides them to the new requirements.
Matthias informed that CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb has advised that no sanctions will be meted out to Guyana for its non participation in the Beach Soccer World Cup, while he also recommended that Guyana could avail itself for the ‘Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF ‘funding to continue the staging of the GFF Super League which will soon be named the Premier League. He said the GFF will be applying for the funds.
Meanwhile, Matthias said the team was able to garner expressions of interest from Germany, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Panama and the USA for future assistance, while the latter President Sunil Gulati took the opportunity to remind Guyana of his promise to support them after securing its vote in his quest to become a member of the FIFA ExCo.
“We weren’t able to look at what we need as yet since he (Gulati) told us that they are in the middle of a World Cup campaign, but as soon as that ends the talks between the two parties will resume,” Matthias stated.
He further mentioned that FIFA Development Officer for this Region Jamaican Howard McIntosh revealed to him that there are plenty resources available to help advance the sport here and has promised to visit Guyana as soon as possible to ascertain what assistance is needed.
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