“I AM a man of faith and if indeed the Associations are serious about developmental change then there would be a Matthias Presidency, a reformed General Council and Constitution, Transparency, Accountability and Equity through the involvement of all stakeholders in this process.

“Having said that, I am confident and also ready to take the leadership of football in this country”, exclaimed Christopher Matthias when he sat down and spoke with Chronicle Sport on his chances of being victorious at the polls come next Friday, April 12, in the Savannah Suite of the Guyana Pegasus.
The Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) secretary refutes the claim that he is hungry for power. ”Power belongs to God.  I am hungry for developmental change which comes as a result of the change in the environment, in the way we think and how we operate.
“I am not hungry for power. I am happy to be part of football history in Guyana where this type of atmosphere has never been experienced leading up to any football elections,” declared Matthias.
The philosophical-sounding Matthias who also held the top position for City football between 2000 and 2001 says he thinks for the sport to progress, developing the human resources would be key – “My aim is to use football as a vehicle for Human and Social development. I believe it is my God-given and national mandate to contribute to human and social development.
“Football has given us a chance to contribute in making a difference in people’s lives. We should be trying to implement FIFA’s theme which is to use football to touch the lives of all Guyanese people, at home and abroad, through investing in people and society at large.
“By doing this we would have fulfilled our God-given and national mandate to make an important contribution to society”.
Questioned on what prompted the Director of Music for the United Voices Choir to contest the upcoming football elections, Matthias claims his earnest desire to make meaningful contributions to human and social development has always been a motivating factor and complemented by the will and support of the GFA’s General Council he had no choice but to serve the wishes.
The 46-year-old former Customs Officer and current president of the Guyana Customs House Brokers Association also related that “Corporate Guyana has also given me the motivation to challenge for the top post and I am extremely happy to have their support as they are very key stakeholders in this whole developmental thrust forward.”
Among his immediate plans for the positive transformation of the game are: to establish an efficient General Council and Executive where transparency and accountability will be the watchwords, Constitutional reform, Structural, Technical and Tactical developments and effective Marketing of the product.
“Regrettably on both occasions I have been elected to executive positions to City football, the GFA and the GFF have been at war and that would have consumed most of your energies and time just battling for the rights of footballers and the sport.
Thankfully it has paid off since FIFA granted us early elections and an electoral process which is out of the hands of the GFF. While many thought we would be banned, FIFA saw the evidence we were able to produce of excessive Administrative indiscretion and immediately restored our constitutional rights, including the right to vote at the upcoming elections which is expected to be attended by officials of FIFA.
“I feel very satisfied and proud to be part of the process that fought the injustice and have been able to restore democracy with the change,” an upbeat Matthias boasted.
A product of the Salvation Army Torch Bearers Youth Club where he served as Secretary and President between 1979 and 1985, Matthias recalls the long feud between the governing bodies here in Guyana under the autocratic ‘Klassique’ rule.
“Change has come and we are happy for that change which came as a result of the fight for democracy. This battle had a long history dating back to former Referees’ President Gerald Laurie and ex-Presidents of the GFA Oliver Hinckson, Odinga Lumumba, Troy Mendonca and culminating with team Burnette restoring and securing the rights.” Matthias informed.
“I would personally like to thank the entire executive of the GFA as well as ex-Vice President Ivor Thompson and most importantly all the affiliated clubs for staying the course. The clubs from East Coast and Upper-Demerara who supported throughout must be praised as well for staying the course. It certainly was not an easy road.

“Now that we have successfully overcome the past hurdle it is my wish that the new General Council embrace collective consciousness, understanding and agreement as to the objective, structure and systems of the Institution. With that established we can move mountains for the betterment of football in Guyana.”
Matthias says once he is elevated to the top position it is his intention to be guided by FIFA’s guidelines and statutes in executing his duties and effectively bringing about the necessary change for the good and betterment of the people’s beautiful game.