By Elroy Stephney

MEMBERS from the senior Henrietta United and Queenstown football clubs have expressed their displeasure in the manner in which the Essequibo Football Association (EFA) is currently being managed.

In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Andrew Gordon, an executive member of the Henrietta United F.C, disclosed that the Association is not serving in the best interest of football on the Essequibo Coast and that the executives are non-functioning.

He further lamented that statutory meetings have not been held for a long time and that the clubs are not aware of the Association’s plans and objectives for the region.
He also expressed his disappointment at not knowing the financial status of the Association and questioned whether the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) provides a subvention to the local body.

“No financial update is available, and it seems that the EFA is being administered in isolation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Marlon Alves, another executive member of the Queenstown Football Club who was adamant that the Association needs serious retrospection. He is of the view that the game is being stifled due to administrative mismanagement. “I am saddened by the current state of affairs with football in Essequibo, because there is no clear direction and communication from the hierarchy..

“It seems that the GFF is also condoning what is happening here, even without accountability and a plan that should have been in place to govern the game.”
He further explained that there seems to be favouritism in the execution of certain functions, citing refereeing and coaching where less qualified persons are being favoured as against those that were recognised by the GFF.

“I have seen the sidelining of experienced coaches and referees and it must be worrying that their services are not being fully utilised for the benefit of our talent here.
“Competitions are being played without proper planning. There are no rules to be guided by, no knowledge of incentives and clearly a lack of motivation from the clubs to participate, due to a breakdown in communication among clubs and the Association. This is how the frustrated official described the present scenario.

“It appears though that the Association is being operated by one person who does all the duties without consultation or respect for the functions of the other executives.
“But is there a functioning executive bod?, he questioned. The Essequibo Football Association was dormant for a number of years until an interim management committee (IMC) was formed and headed by Walter Joseph who served for approximately one year.

Subsequently the Association held its annual elections and elected Compton Haynes as its president. Haynes subsequently migrated and it is unclear who is performing the functions of president and whether any formal meetings were held since Haynes’ departure about one year ago.

The Association’s representative to the GFA is Maxine Stewart who is a long-serving member.
The disgruntled members are therefore appealing to the GFF to intervene and restore stability and credibility to the EFA, They are demanding that fresh elections be held in keeping with the Constitution and spirit of the senior clubs in Essequibo.