… GFF remains tight-lipped
THE big question being asked within the seriously conscious football fraternity of Guyana is – How important is the friendly International against Guatemala in Atlanta, USA next week Wednesday?
A reliable source has informed that five players and one official were successful in their applications for visas out of eight applications. One player and an official were denied.
From the onset of this match the GFF decided that they would minimise the chances of having rejected applications, selecting players through a profiling system employed. Among those not considered for the US trip are regular starters and striking partners Anthony Abrams and Devon Millington.
First choice goalkeeper Ronson Williams was ruled out because of a current permanent resident application with the US Embassy.
When asked how many applications were made and how did the GFF conclude that certain players would not be successful, a top official refused to comment. A well informed and reliable source revealed that goalkeeper Richie Richards and Technical Development Officer had their applications turned down.
Head coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover and captain Howard Lowe are among the successful applicants. The others are Dwain Ali, Dwain Jacobs, Dwight Peters and goalkeeper Derek Carter. The six are expected to depart Guyana on Monday and will be joined in Atlanta by the overseas-based players.
New Zealand-based professional Howard Newton, brother of right back Jake who is based in England, is among the foreign-based players who are being assembled to make up a squad.
The others are US-based JP Rodrigues, Sean Cameron and Chris Nurse. Only Shawn Beveney of the T&T Pro League is likely to make the trip since the other player Walter Moore made a late application for his US Visa. There is also Chris Bourne of England and efforts are being made to secure the services of goalkeeper Jason Lloyd, son of former West Indies cricket legend Clive Lloyd.
The GFF official also indicated that there is a possibility of former national captain, T&T-based Charles Pollard joining the team while the GFF’s scouts are currently seeking other players with Guyanese ancestry who are playing overseas.
The preventive move by the GFF to deny selected players the opportunity to secure the necessary visas to represent their country shows poor taste and reminds us of the dictatorial attitude of the governing body for the sport.
These players, like all other members of the team, deserve the right to apply for their visas and let the US Embassy decide their fate.
And why the big secrecy! A promise was made by the General Secretary Noel Adonis to make a Press release to the media since Tuesday of this week, but nothing has so far been delivered.
With such secrecy surrounding the operations of the GFF one is left to wonder what kind of contractual arrangement or deal was made for this game in Atlanta.
From all appearances it seems as though the GFF is taking the Digicel Cup finals for granted, while other finalists are busy and meaningfully preparing to challenge for the Championship. At present, Group ‘G’ of the Digicel Cup semis is being played in Antigua and Barbuda from which the second-placed team will be Guyana’s first opponent at the finals on November 27.
If we are serious, don’t you think that it would have been wise to send our Coach to watch that group play-off as part of our preparations?