In less than two weeks’ time the most anticipated elections in the history of the oldest Football Federation in the Region would take place and a new Executive Committee would emerge to charter the course for the ‘Beautiful Game’ here in Guyana after just over a year’s governance by a FIFA installed Normalisation Committee.The campaigning among the 22 voters, loaded with gifts and promises will intensify as ‘D-DAY’ nears. The character assassination has already begun and no doubt the ‘Ghost’ letter writing will increase leading up to D-Day.
The quest for the hierarchy of the sport is being contested by Team Integrity, under the leadership of Businessman and President of Fruta Conquerors FC, Wayne Forde and Team Unity, led by Attorney and Chairman of Political Party AFC, Nigel Hughes.
It is no secret to the fraternity who are the architects behind the Unity slate and their boastful confidence in prevailing at the polls on D-Day. I and I am certain many others were caught by surprise on hearing that the man well known for his tremendous works in the Judicial Courts as well as in the Political and Social arenas is their Presidential candidate.
Hughes who represented Georgetown in the GTU’s inter-branch U-16 schools competition in 1978 as a goalkeeper comes with no experience of football Management or understanding of the landscape he is entering, but no doubt, he would be guided by the Masterminds steering Team Unity.
The frightening scenario for the People’s Game is who and where the guidance is coming from. The leadership skills of Hughes are unquestionable and likewise his corporate connections, so one could assume the ship is in safe hands
There is an old adage, “One bad apple would spoil the whole basket of Apples” and there is a strong consensus of opinion within the sport that Team Unity has a rotten apple and a few spoilt ones too. That could be disastrous.
In contrast, Team Integrity’s Presidential candidate Forde comes with a successful wealth of football Management skills and experience and more importantly he is well supported by three vice presidents whose expertise football needs at this juncture to propel the development.
It would be very dishonest if anyone would refute the claim that football lacks unity. However it is clear that the disunity has come about mainly because of the want of integrity among the micro-management of dictators who have been abusing the game for decades. Untrustworthiness and non-transparency have been their traits and the people, who hold the sport dearly to their hearts, have sounded their voices; enough is enough.
It must be noted that these guys are students and very close associates of a former disgraced football boss, here in Guyana, as well as his former chief who is currently battling extradition for corruption. We must also take account of what has been unfolding at the world governing body and how effective the Ethics Committee is proving to be.
In an interview late last month live on the weekly TV show – Real Football Vybz – Chairman of the NC, Clinton Urling stated that the Ethics Committee was almost nearing establishment. By now it should have been announced, but we are still awaiting word. It must be in place so as to clear all persons submitted on the two slates as eligible for contesting the elections.
The ultimate responsibility for chartering Guyana’s football pathway for the next four years are in the hands of those elected to vote on November 14th, and while they ought to be directed by their members, their secret ballot has opened the door for wheeling and dealing that could lead to purchasing, and that is the gossip permeating the football environment.
It was first heard that a million dollars is being offered for a vote but now it has been doubled according to hearsay. Indeed the thirst for power in the world’s richest sport can be costly and people are willing to pay the price. Let’s hope this is just a rumour, but in every rumour there often is some truth.
All eligible voters have the golden opportunity, now, to nip the bud of corruption and bring some respectability to a sport blighted and stagnated for years. Let’s join FIFA in putting our house in order so as to guarantee a bright future for the good of the ‘Beautiful Game’ seemingly gone ugly.
I am so inclined to share with you my all-time favourite utterance of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellassie First, which I find appropriate at this moment in our country’s football history, “Throughout the history of mankind it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, and the silence of the voice, when it mattered most, that has allowed evil to triumph”.

By Ras Wadada