GENERAL Secretary of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Odinga Lumumba is broad-siding the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee for appointing Trinidadian Richard Groden as the General Secretary (GS) of the Guyana Football Federation. Lumumba told the Chronicle that Groden’s appointment is an insult to the nation and all Guyanese hence his call for an immediate reverse of the decision.
“I am personally upset by the decision. There are too many qualified Guyanese who have been overlooked. I am now calling for the GFF to make a full disclosure on the process that led to this appointment,” Lumumba said.
“I think that every Guyanese should feel insulted by this new development as it paints a picture that this country is still a colony and can be dictated to. The GFF now needs to tell the public how this happened. Who applied for the position and why persons from this country were turned down, “added Lumumba.
Groden will assume duties on March 2 and comes to Guyana with a wealth of experience, having served as the GS of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for 15 years. He resigned in 2013. However, his tenure with the TTFF was not all smooth sailing.
In 2011 Groden was reprimanded by the FIFA ethics committee following investigations into the infamous cash-for-votes scandal which left former CONCACAF president Jack Warner and several Caribbean football administrators running for cover.
“It is a backward step that sends the wrong message. I don’t know of another country in the world that has a GS not from that said country. This infraction needs to be corrected immediately,” Lumumba declared.
A release from the GFF Normalisation Committee revealed that CONCACAF’s assistance was sought in identifying a GS and the Trinidadian was recommended by the regional body. No mention was made if Groden had applied for the position.
The release added that Groden’s appointment is temporary as he will serve until the life of the Normalisation Committee expires in September. Diedre Davis was appointed Assistant Secretary General and will commence work on February 24.