GFF Presidential Race 2013… King outlines vision for football development

By Avenash Ramzan –

Under the theme ‘Unity and strong management for football development’, Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry, Alfred King, has presented a 24-page manifesto, outlining his vision for football development should he be elected president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) come April 12.
King and three other candidates – Georgetown Football Association (GFA) General Secretary Christopher Matthias, co-director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major and former national player and football administrator Ivan Persaud – are vying for the top post of football’s local governing body.

King said an administration under his leadership will offer an individual with a solid academic background with the competence to get the job done efficiently, excellent administrative and negotiation skills, an untarnished reputation and a senior public officer, who is strategically placed professionally to allow for the fostering of closer relations among corporate citizens, government and the football fraternity.
“In short, his current position as permanent secretary stands to bring great benefits to football,” the manifesto concluded.
Unity
In outlining his plans for the way forward, King said no one team of administrators can have all the answers to solve Guyana’s football issues.
“It will take a collective effort from all – players, officials, administrators, corporate Guyana, government and interested stakeholders. We will extend our hands to work closely with everyone to help us to achieve our objectives as we strive to take Guyana’s football to the next level,” King is quoted as saying in his manifesto.
Under the headline ‘Vision’ the manifesto states, “To bring healing to our football fraternity, ensuring that players and officials get a fair share of the development thrust. Work assiduously with key stakeholders to reduce the current financial deficit. Ensure that there are proper club structures and officials with the skills necessary to manage these clubs. Increase the number of participants in the game and ensure that the game has a clear strategic direction and is well governed at all levels.”
Priorities
If elected, King plans to focus on key priorities during the next two years, commencing with the increase in participants in the game and the quality of their experience.
The focus will also be on achieving success at an elite level, creating a sense of identity and pride and inspire participation, while improving organisational capability and delivering greater value by developing people, systems and processes.
During the next 24 years, King also plans to ensure the game has a clear strategic direction and is well governed at every level, adding that a strong partnership will be required between the GFF and the associations, as well as the affiliates.
The strengthening of relationships with key stakeholders, the regulation of competitions to ensure players, coaches, clubs and associations benefit directly from experiences and financial returns, sponsorship and the hosting of school level tournaments are also among the key areas of focus for King.
Strong philosophy
According to King, Guyana’s football is on the verge of a take-off to a new level and he believes that he has the administrative and technical knowledge to take it to that next level.
Among the key areas King believes are necessary for the forward movement of football in Guyana are staffing of the GFF, financial viability and training of players and officials.