Dear Editor,
IN THE real and developed world, when a senior national team is ousted from a premier championship/tournament, moreso at a preliminary stage, based upon what the contract entails, the coaching/technical staff members submit their resignation without being told to do so.But of course it’s only applicable providing are sides are equal. That is: encampment, training sessions, practice matches/friendly internationals, et al.

However, locally, in our beloved “Oh Beautiful Guyana, my lovely native land”, it’s extremely the opposite, whereby the absence/no commencement of the 2016-2017 Elite League deprived approximately 200 footballers from eight clubs to meaningfully prepare for the nation’s premier football competition. That, by extension, would have enabled them to vie competitively for selection ahead for national representation.

Within this context, can the coaching/technical staff and players be blamed for this sad predicament? Absolutely not!

Editor, given the fact that Bro. Shabbazz is associated with local national football for almost a decade, during which time the best ever FIFA ranking of 86 was achieved, almost six years ago; with a current placing of 118, it would only be prudent, after Jamaica’s match, which the visitors will win by two clear goals, that the
goodly Trinidadian should bow out gracefully with his head held high.

It must be taken into serious consideration that the nation’s administrators have failed the Golden Jaguars’ preparation this time around. That is apart from a lack of physical fitness, compliments of absolutely no domestic football, and compounded by the presence of some of the overseas players, which brings me to the pertinent point: Does the GFF have within its database information pertaining to the overseas-based players’ weekly training, matches played as a starter/substitute, and the level of football? Can the latter be ascertained to be higher than the Elite League? Is it prudent to invest scarce dollars to bring players — airfare, internal transportation, accommodation, meals, stipends, etc — and at the end of the day they are not fit?

In the final analysis, four (4) full time sessions could have never sufficed against Suriname and Jamaica, especially since the matches had to produce a winner, entailing 30 minutes of “extra time” and the possibility of penalty kicks. Thank the Heavenly Father it didn’t reach to that stage.

Until and unless a properly structured developmental four-year plan is in place at the minimum, time wastage would continue to aid the sport’s own self-destruction.

Albeit, participating in a Gold Cup Tournament would remain an illusion to be pursued but never attained! It’s my sincere desire that with the acquisition of a new Technical Director, a new vision for development would be on the horizon.

Sadly, since the ousting of former GFF President Colin Klass at the behest of FIFA via a suspension, the other occupants of the presidential chair have to date not delivered the quality of leadership that would avert national embarrassments on the field of play and administratively.

The Elite League scenario is one of such, along with poor documentation for an overseas-born player and for overage. Additionally, players in their mid-thirties or thereabouts must call it a day in regard to national representation, along with the other members of the coaching staff who lack advanced certification in the relevant areas.

With this in mind, the GFF must leave no stone unturned for coaches to attend advanced courses overseas. Brazil offers one such course that is FIFA-accredited, with the late Ashton Taylor being the only beneficiary to date. This also occurred under the stewardship of former President Colin Klass.

From two matches resulting in 240 minutes of football, along with injury time, what explanations can be offered for being pointless, winless; conceding seven goals and scoring four for a goal difference of minus three?

Editor, apparently no lesson was learnt from the previous 2-5 loss to Curacao in Round Two. Scientifically, our coaching staff is sadly lacking, and so, too, is the sport’s administration.
Regards,
FOOTBALL FAN