REFERENCE is hereby made to the above caption as it relates to an article captioned “Beenie Man not at GFC ground on New Year’s Day” – Kashif and Shangai’s Major by Donald Duff published in SN-23.12.12.

`Sir, before I divulge the harsh but sad realities of the situation as it unfolded within the article, may I enquire who actually is in charge of the GFA, since from all indications it’s definitely not the president, whose authority on pertinent issues is being undermined.
While I must acknowledge that the Hon. Secretary, like all other secretaries is the Chief Administrative Officer. Nevertheless, it’s the president who remains and maintains his “status quo” as the Chief Executive Officer. Or, at least is supposed to!
With the individual, emanating from a highly professional background such as the Guyana Defence Force, definitely much is left to be desired with this public comment. Quote. “When contacted, President of the GFA, Vernon Burnett, said he had not seen a letter from the secretary of the GFC regarding the issue.”
Editor, within this day an important issue such as the acquisition of the GFC ground, for an after-football-finals concert featuring ‘Beenie Man’ on New Year’s Day. And the CEO, does not know that the Secretary of the GFC, had written the GFA, indicating that the Kashif and Shangai Organisation had earlier secured the venue, for the finals of the Beharry Group of Companies sponsored Chico under-13 round-robin/knockout competition. And it’s out of concern that an advertisement is being aired on the local airwaves, highlighting GFC, as the venue for the concert/show.
Finally, since “there is more in the mortar than in the pestle” then one can only conclude that the GFA’s president may also not be aware of the following:
i) Approaches were being made to Pele players to participate in this year’s GFA/Banks Beer K.O Competition, with substantial financial remuneration, amounting to $800, 000.
ii) An offer of $100, 000 being made to a FIFA-accredited referee instructor, towards coordinating the appointment of referees and their assistants. Fortunately, the offer was not accepted, but this did not deter a referee initially from the Referees Council from accepting an offer which entailed financial remuneration.
At the end of the day, the GDF would have in the past provided officers, whose contributions to the administration of football was commendable. Readily coming to mind is: Messrs: Godwin Mc Pherson (deceased); Michael Atherley, Frankie Bispham, Davey De Abreau, John Flores, and Tyrone Smith. None of whose shoes you cannot attempt to fill!
So, your tenure as president, from all indications is bordering on mediocrity, as those under your command are bent on achieving their own objectives, in pursuit of their own agendas. “When the battle is over and lost, it’s the high command that is blamed; definitely not the lower ranks.” Is this a sign of a “coup d’état”?