THE FIRST official announcement of intentions to challenge for the governance of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was revealed yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, where Team Integrity was launched.The Wayne Forde-led slate, referred to as Team Integrity, includes 1st Vice President, (Ret’d) Brigadier General Bruce Lovell; 2nd Vice President, Civil Engineer Rawlston Adams and 3rd Vice President, Attorney Thandi McAllister.
In addition, the names of two of the five Committee members were released while Forde assured the Media that the other three names would be known before the submission of the slate.
According to Forde, president of the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) Dion Inniss and president of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club Captain Otto Benons are the names already committed to Team Integrity.
The 45-year-old Forde is no stranger to the ‘Beautiful Game’ having been at the head of Fruta Conquerors for many successful years. He also served on the executive of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA). In his address to the Media he outlined the vision of Team Integrity.
“My brothers and sisters, the best days for football are ahead of us. Team Integrity will deliver to you a rules-oriented football fraternity that is characterised by – discipline, openness, inclusiveness, credibility, fairness, solid fiscal management, an active league schedule and youth and community empowerment through football.”
“This morning I am joined by my distinguished colleagues to declare our candidacy for the Executive Committee of the GFF. In exactly 23 days, the eligible members from amongst the 22 members of the Guyana Football Federation will be called upon to make the most important decision of our time. On the 14th of November, we will have the opportunity to make a profoundly emphatic statement to our loyal membership, the players that live for this ‘Beautiful Game’, to the skeptical business community, to the Government of Guyana, to all 41 members of the CONCACAF family and to the entire FIFA organisation that we are ready to embrace the quality of leadership that has for so long eluded us,”, a confident and executively outfitted Forde stated.
“The image of football is experiencing its worst days and at times we are consumed by an immense sense of helplessness. Today I present to you the finest minds and most respectable professionals, each with a solid record of service, discipline and integrity, I give you Team Integrity.
Team Integrity brings to you a strong balance of business and commercial experience, technical and logistics skills legal and constitutional competence and discipline and institutional governance knowledge,” Forde boasted.
“We will build a strong, mutually respectful relationship with the business community and the Government of Guyana. We believe these partnerships are essential as a platform to kick-start a sustainable football development programme. Today I ask you to acknowledge your moral responsibility to the sport and do what is right. Trust us and let us together be the change you have long hoped for. Let us on November 14, choose Team Integrity. We believe in you and trust you,”, Forde emphasised.
Members of Team Integrity present at yesterday’s launch also signed their letters of commitment to the slate, which must be handed in to the GFF no later than tomorrow.