Dear Editor
THE disclosure by FIFA Director of Member Associations & Development for Africa and the Caribbean, Mr. Veron Mosengo Omba that: “FIFA pleased with work of Forde and GFF.”
It remains rather unfortunate on behalf of FIFA, that an assessment after a two-day visit, can make such a pronouncement. Exactly what is pleasing, office procedures, secretarial duties, acquiring a Technical Director, Development Officers and establishing a Youth Academy?
In erstwhile, proper playing/training facilities for clubs, in the respective Associations over years have gotten worse. Is strategic emphasis being placed on this by the GFF? Whereby, within Georgetown as an example perceivably the largest Association, with the two oldest clubs nationally, GFC and Santos.
The former over a decade or more upgraded its playing surface, to a lesser extent the floodlights and dressing rooms. But what is sadly lacking until now is seating accommodation. In relation to the latter, a worst-case scenario exists, pertaining to: the lack of a proper training venue. GFC, GDF, Tucville, Police and Camptown are the only venues, which are suitable to host senior competition matches domestically, reflective of less than 50% of the city-based clubs. So, what of the others, are training venues listed on the affiliation forms? How many clubs still have the National Park ground as a training venue?
The most active Association, EBFA, plays all of its competitions at the Grove ground, while the Bartica Community Centre ground, is virtually unplayable. Is this the hallmark of development that is likely to see football surpassing cricket to become the #1 national sport? By relevant comparison, cricket receives far less annual subventions from its parent body and is more properly structured developmentally. Over the years, I always advocated that development and progress can’t be measured by an increased number of clubs. Rather, it must be less clubs that are more properly structured, efficient and professionally run. “Since the days for carrying dead weight are over”.
Regards
Lester Sealey
