Dear Editor,

THE nation is in the celebratory mood of observing 50 years of Independence. Come May 26, 2016, the Golden Arrowhead, our symbol of self-rule, will be hoisted. In 2016, another quiet celebration is taking place — 50 years of Lennox Arthur’s involvement in football.Firstly, as a player with Albouystown, thereafter with Santos, then national representation, founder of Pele FC, Coach, national Coach, and finally Executive Coordinator of the Annual Mayor’s Cup.

Arthur has held this position for 22 years, but sadly, instead of becoming better, things have become worse. The tournament has become a virtual “one man show” that is devoid of a proper coordinating/organising body. He operates in the realm of “Lone wolf Mc Quade”.

This in the Jubilee year, and the May 1st commencement of the Annual Knockout Tournament has been preceded by: Reduction, increase and further reduction of teams; reduction in the sums of prize money; numerous postponements and adjustments to fixtures.

With all of these administrative glitches, reflections of poor coordinating compounded by an absence expressing concern(s) being advocated by any sports journalist, surely it leaves much to be desired!

The nation’s governing body of the sport, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), is regrettably silent on this counter-productive issue. By the way, are the sums of prize money or a letter of commitment from a/some reputable sponsor(s) in the possession of the GFF as a guarantee that payment of prizes would be done?

Since Hamilton Green is no longer the Mayor, following the convening of the prolonged overdue Local Government Elections, in whose honour is the Annual Mayor’s Cup being played?

Did Her Worship, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, grant approval? Between the 16th and 18th May, 2016, a total of 3 different starting dates has been registered in various articles of the print media, with the latest being May 20. Is this acceptable, when no less than eight postponements/ commencements have already elapsed?

With the Government on board as a sponsor, in addition to the NSC and private/corporate entities, along with the claim that “the tournament is part of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebration”, upon perusal of the relevant website/Facebook, no such information of the Annual Mayor’s Cup is available. Can it be ascertained exactly what Arthur is hoping to achieve with the rumour? Maybe Stabroek News’ Cartoonist P. Harris can offer a pictorial description of the “comedy of errors” as it continues unabatedly.

Why is the Victoria Ground the only venue for the tournament’s commencement, instead of utilizing an alternative that is similar to what the GFF did with the Elite League? For sure, Arthur’s overindulgence in administrative ineptitude would have never occurred with the Kashif & Shangai Organisation.

Yours truly,
LESTER SEALEY