Letter to the Sports Editor…Will normalcy return to local football?

Dec 03, 2014 Sports

Dear Sir,
I still support the notion of the philosopher who once said, “If one were to ask me the perquisite of being involved in Sports, I would say the first thing is to be happy.” However, despite the appointment of a five member Normalization Committee, by representatives of FIFA, after months of “foot dragging” that enabled the former GFF President, the distinct privilege of defying constitutionality, in addition to ruling autocratically and dictatorially, to the extent that the individual became “the last man standing”!
Editor, at this crucial juncture and turbulent times, in the ocean of our football history, I’m still unhappy! Unhappy indeed, that despite the fact the Normalization Committee’s Chairman, had in the past served as President, of  the Georgetown Chamber of Industry & Commerce; and Chairman of Blue Caps. As such, Clinton Urling’s resume administratively, should speak volumes for itself. But surely this is not the case, as it relates to the Committee’s ruling pertaining to Applications, Consultations and Approval towards Associations coordinating its own year-end tournament, along with Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, that had also previously applied during Matthias’ tenure as President.
Meanwhile, with the K&S Organisation’s application coinciding with the observance of its 25th Anniversary, which was supposed to be a mega-event, but was reduced to naught when the dust finally settled.
Editor, cause it what it may, I find the Normalization Committee’s decision not to give credence to the observance of an Organisation’s 25th Anniversary illogical. Suffice it to say, no mathematical equation or formula can be compared/equated with 2 applicants (1 with an indebtedness of $23,000,000) against (observance of a 25th Anniversary) which of the two is a logical perception towards enhancing the sport’s image publicly?
Editor, “adding fuel to an already combustible situation” entailed granting approval to the GFA, UDFA, WDFA, with consideration also to other associations that are desirous of hosting its own tournament, either individually or jointly! Does Mr. Urling and those who are advising him know of the legal ramifications in granting approval?
Whereby, jointly would entail the imposition of a levy fee by the GFF along with other contractual obligations. Is the Normalization Committee aware of this? Are they aware of the fact that a significant amount of Clubs in Linden had qualms with the illegally Matthias installed IMC? Within this context which body is entitled to coordinate the tournament?
In the final analysis “the final straw that broke the camel’s back” was reading from December, 2015 the GFF will be coordinating its own tournament, and the K&S Organisation, can coordinate their tournament in April, 2015. With the election of Office Bearers scheduled for November, 2015, no elected Executive is obligated to honour that Agreement! Within a two weeks’ time frame for Easter (April) would a 16 team KO be prudent? Would it be prudent for any Association (s) failing to submit, Minutes of its Annual General Meeting, Audited Financial Report/Statement, Calendar of Seasonal Activities and most importantly Non-Constitutional Reform/Upgrade be granted approval to coordinate a year-end tournament, moreover, when financial gains/returns for a selected few takes precedence over development? Is Matthias smiling; and the previous presidents laughing as the “comedy of errors continues unabatedly”!
At the end of the 11 months I do hope abnormalcy does not outweigh normalcy with the FIFA appointed Normalization Committee that is seemingly oblivious to the essential components of “moving Guyana’s Football Forward (GFF)”.
Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey