Time to end the Elite League

The time is right for the GFF Elite League to be put down. Frankly speaking, the federation’s attempt to create a professional championship has failed miserably.

Although this administration was not responsible for the concoction of the tournament, it rode the competition to its proverbial death. The event has become an embarrassment locally, with no more than 40 paying customers in attendance at the respective match days, to witness the ‘highest level’ of local football.

Abysmal marketing coupled with even poorer quality of play, has relegated the tournament to a financial disaster.

Just don’t tell that to the GFF, who seem hell-bent on forging ahead with a failed product despite the glaring issues surrounding its existence.

Millions of dollars are being pumped into the event, with no clear plan as to how to formulate and build a marketable product which can be enjoyed by the fans.

Much of business is common sense, but that seems very uncommon in this existence. Which sponsor would want to associate their brand with a sinking ship, as well as an entity that seems embroiled in politics?

The initial sponsors for the league have long packed-up the funds and headed for the door. No wonder FIFA has been asked to shoulder the financial burden of this doomed project for three years.

The GFF President boldly stated that each player receives $4,000 per match and a meal [sometimes]. However, what is the point of being entitled to $4,000 and have to wait months to receive it? That is a cold hard fact!

This is an administration which also stated publicly in another section of the media that the majority of the Guyana team which will participate in the CONCACAF Nations League will be locally based and chosen from the Elite League.

Frankly, this is height of hypocrisy. The Elite League, which is embarrassingly short of talent, whose doubleheaders are like a four hour period of torture for the sprinkling of spectators who are actually brave enough to view the matches!

Watching paint dry might arguably be more entertaining than the supposed ‘Highest League’ in the country. A coach who opted to remain anonymous once stated, “I can’t look at this anymore because I am falling asleep. I am leaving.”

Youth Football

While the concerned stares of the public continue to be fixated on the dormancy which exists in the sport, the cold hard truth is that local football is presently non-existent.

Youth football, once a beacon of hope for future World Cup aspirations, now resides on the side of a cardboard milk box, a medium once used to aid in the search of missing persons.

The jury is still out on the NAMILCO Under-17 and Frank Watson Memorial Under-15 Tournaments, initiatives that in their current state of implementation have been terribly disappointing.

Both events have failed to gather the necessary traction required to be viewed as structured developmental projects, with their respective zonal divisions seemingly viewed as burdensome by the administering officials.

Horrendous playing surfaces, the paucity of referees and medical staff are staples of these weekend matches. Acquiring the results of the matches is akin to searching for precious minerals in the interior.

The Frank Watson Memorial Tournament in particular, which was launched in March 2017, players in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) District have been deprived of almost years of playing time.

The event finally commenced on August 18th last, 15 months after its initial launch, following the big budget production which was staged and unknowingly starred by CONCACAF Head Victor Montagliani.

Despite its recent start, the GFA Zone has already entered the realm of embarrassment. On August 21st no referees showed up to perform their duties and thus, the current National Under-15 Coach, Bryan Joseph was obliged to carry the whistle for two games, while the other fixture was officiated by a player, who was wearing the same colour [red] shirt as one of the teams. No medical personnel were in attendance and neither goal structures were adorned with nets. A perfect start if there ever was one. The GFF is conformable with the current situation. After all, they waited nine months to install an interim management committee (IMC) for the GFA and over a year to ensure the event kicks-off in this district.

On a serious note, what is needed is a structured programme which can foster actual growth and development, not speeches and photo- opportunities at privately coordinated events which aid in masking the GFF’s shortcomings.

It is rather interesting to note that the National Under-14 Boys team which was selected for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series which was held this month in Curacao featured three players from the GFA, who had not played any youth football for months.

The persistent exclusion of Antwoine Vincent of St. Angela’s from the national team, continues to raise eyebrows, as his school team was the undefeated Pee Wee Champion in 2015 and 2016.

With Vincent marshalling the team’s defence on the way to the Most Valuable Player award, St. Angela’s defended their title without conceding a goal.

Who says the ugly head of politics hasn’t surfaced in children’s football? Golden Jaguars International KaiMcKenzie Lyle, has signed for the youth team of English Premier League giant Liverpool FC.

According to website ‘readliverpoolFC.com’, the Merseyside giant completed the transfer of the Barnet shot-stopper following a trial during the month of August.

The 6’7 English born custodian, has secured three caps for the Guyana Senior team.

His most recent outing occurred on September 6th 2018 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora in a 2-2 draw against Barbados on the opening night of the CONCACAF Nations League. (Field Level Media) Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird entered a not guilty plea yesterday to charges of domestic assault, strangulation and kidnapping.

He was arrested Sept. 7 after he allegedly assaulted a woman, identified in court as a girlfriend, in Brighton, Mass. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.

Bird also was ordered to stay away from the woman and witnesses and to abstain from drugs and alcohol.

Prosecutors said in court yesterday that the woman reported that Bird, 24, threw her against a wall during an argument at his home. Over the course of four hours, he assaulted her at least a dozen times, including numerous acts of strangulation, prosecutors said at his arraignment.

The woman told police that Bird would strangle her until she fell “limp” and that once she caught her breath, he would begin his attack again. She also said Bird kicked her in the stomach, dragged her as she tried to escape and closed her in a bathroom. Eventually, she told police, she was able to leave the residence after Bird had “seizure-like” symptoms and passed out.

The Celtics issued a statement yesterday. “Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident. The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird,” the Celtics said. “Pursuant to Domestic Violence Policy in the NBA’s labor agreement, matters of this kind are handled by the League Office, not the team, and so the Celtics will be working with both the league and local authorities to assist in their ongoing investigations. The team will have no further comment at this time.”

Bird is a former McDonald’s AllAmerican and played college basketball at Cal. The Celtics selected him with the 56th pick of the 2017 draft. He spent his rookie season on a twoway contract and in July signed a two-year deal, with the first year fully guaranteed at $1.35 million.