New GFF president says ‘football healing’ will commence soon

By Treiston Joseph –

Considered the most defining moment in local football administration for the past two decades, attorney Christopher Matthias was elected president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), defeating rival Aubrey “Shanghai” Major 11-6 at the Pegasus Hotel Friday night.
The GFF top position, considered the ‘poisoned chalice’ for close to two decades after the stranglehold former banned president Colin Klass had, was hotly contested behind closed doors Friday evening, preceded by compelling manifestos by Matthias, Major, Ivan Persaud and Alfred King. In the end, it came down to Matthias and Major as many observers had predicted in the lead-up to elections.
Further, there was no place in the new executive for acting president Franklin Wilson, who acted since the ban of Klass for his alleged involvement in the cash-for-vote scandal involving Mohammed Bin Hamman two years ago. With the changing of the guard, many will be anxious to witness what the new executive will do to elevate football development, which has been sporadic and, in many instances, non-existent.
Meanwhile, Matthias, former president of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), emerged the winner after three rounds of voting after King was knocked out in a tight and tense second round that went five, six and six in favour of King, Major, and Matthias respectively.
However, the third round was won by a landslide with constituents placing their faith in Matthias. Matthias will now serve a two-year term until 2015.
Three vice president (VP) posts were contested at the election with Ivan Persaud, Collie Hercules and Raulston Adams emerging as winners. Persaud will serve a two-year term after winning a close race against Arron Fraser 9-8, while Hercules and Adams will serve four-year terms as VPs after 11 and 10 votes respectively to win their posts.
Vanessa Dickenson defeated Mark Phillips 9-7 to become an executive member, while Berbice Football Association President Keith O’Jeer occupies the other seat after a landslide victory.
Dickenson will now serve a two-year term as an executive committee member while O’Jeer will serve a four-year term.
On the other hand, at a press briefing after the elections Matthias indicated that football healing will commence.
“Tonight begins a process of healing, a healing with distinct constitutional reform, administrative standards, technical and practical strategies for development, infrastructural enhancement, transparency and accountability and the marketing of this excellent sport,” Matthias stated after his victory Friday night.
Matthias also thanked the past executive for their efforts to produce a fair and democratic election, and the imprint the past executive left on the game of football with regard to the development of the sport.
Further, the close-door election was observed by a FIFA official, CONCACAF’s Bruce Blake.
The FIFA official said it is time for the game to move forward and extended the hand of FIFA to the new council.
Former acting president of the GFF, Franklin Wilson reiterated that he will be there to offer guidance in any form to the new executive.