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FORMER national midfielder Kayode ‘Magic Man’ McKinnon believes that there’s no leadership where football is concerned in Guyana, hence the downfall of the sport locally. McKinnon who now resides in New Jersey, USA, said in a letter sent that “leadership is the ability to fully inspire someone through passion and vision to reach a specific goal; a good leader unconsciously prompts others to let their light shine because that’s the light that they see from you”.
He went on to state, “Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has not, in my estimation of playing so many years, done this for many players who have dedicated their lives and even sacrificed families and jobs for them. As leaders it is our responsibility to ensure that lives are set on course for greatness and the evidence has shown that this executive has not acquired such to this date and for me I am more concerned about the future”
The 33-year-old McKinnon says that the GFF is very consistent in how its operation is run since the cries now by players are cliché and that the future is not looking bright for the sport.
Several players, including skipper Chris Nurse, have been calling for the resignation of some GFF officials, whom they feel are part of the contributing factors of the sport’s downfall at present, but according to McKinnon, he “cannot and will not demand a resignation of officers who have served in the best possible way they can serve but would ask them to really look at what they have done over the years and the results and make the best decision to step down,”
Guyana, McKinnon said, is a place known for having its sports administrators hold on to positions for years, even if they had failed in whatever functioning capacity but he, however, urged them to not be selfish and think about the future of the sport.
“A good leader makes no excuses, he or she finds solutions but it is clear that you (GFF) have failed the players, their families, their communities and country at large, not because you are not great people but your approach did not work and is still not working,” said McKinnon.
Having retired during Guyana’s run in the FIFA 2014 Brazil World Cup Qualifiers; McKinnon was also part of the squads that attempted to qualify for the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.
He’s of the opinion that under the leadership of former Technical Director Jamaal Shabazz and his staff, the Golden Jaguars reached new heights, but the players before them have helped paved the way. But those players are not treated with respect, nor have they ever been honoured by the administration.
McKinnon said that some officials should “forget the trips, the money and the five-star hotels and allow fresh, vibrant blood, new vision and energy to run with the future of our football.”
Having started his career with Bakewell Topp XX McKinnon moved to Trinidad and Tobago Professional league (TT Pro-League) club North East Stars in 2004, winning the league title the said year. He went on to play seven seasons in the TT Pro League, spending time with Caledonia AIA, Joe Public and Tobago United.
McKinnon joined Antigua Barracuda FC in the USL Professional Division for the 2011 season. He made his debut for Barracuda on April 23 in a 3-2 win against Sevilla FC Puerto Rico.
He went on to state, “Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has not, in my estimation of playing so many years, done this for many players who have dedicated their lives and even sacrificed families and jobs for them. As leaders it is our responsibility to ensure that lives are set on course for greatness and the evidence has shown that this executive has not acquired such to this date and for me I am more concerned about the future”
The 33-year-old McKinnon says that the GFF is very consistent in how its operation is run since the cries now by players are cliché and that the future is not looking bright for the sport.
Several players, including skipper Chris Nurse, have been calling for the resignation of some GFF officials, whom they feel are part of the contributing factors of the sport’s downfall at present, but according to McKinnon, he “cannot and will not demand a resignation of officers who have served in the best possible way they can serve but would ask them to really look at what they have done over the years and the results and make the best decision to step down,”
Guyana, McKinnon said, is a place known for having its sports administrators hold on to positions for years, even if they had failed in whatever functioning capacity but he, however, urged them to not be selfish and think about the future of the sport.
“A good leader makes no excuses, he or she finds solutions but it is clear that you (GFF) have failed the players, their families, their communities and country at large, not because you are not great people but your approach did not work and is still not working,” said McKinnon.
Having retired during Guyana’s run in the FIFA 2014 Brazil World Cup Qualifiers; McKinnon was also part of the squads that attempted to qualify for the World Cup in 2006 and 2010.
He’s of the opinion that under the leadership of former Technical Director Jamaal Shabazz and his staff, the Golden Jaguars reached new heights, but the players before them have helped paved the way. But those players are not treated with respect, nor have they ever been honoured by the administration.
McKinnon said that some officials should “forget the trips, the money and the five-star hotels and allow fresh, vibrant blood, new vision and energy to run with the future of our football.”
Having started his career with Bakewell Topp XX McKinnon moved to Trinidad and Tobago Professional league (TT Pro-League) club North East Stars in 2004, winning the league title the said year. He went on to play seven seasons in the TT Pro League, spending time with Caledonia AIA, Joe Public and Tobago United.
McKinnon joined Antigua Barracuda FC in the USL Professional Division for the 2011 season. He made his debut for Barracuda on April 23 in a 3-2 win against Sevilla FC Puerto Rico.
