It has been a few weeks since I last communicated with sports enthusiasts regarding the present status of football in Belize; so, after not hearing anything from the FFB, allow me to continue relating some concerns, and suggest some solutions to the problems embedded in the Football Federation.
Even though the National Team has been successful in its recent World Cup qualification matches against St. Kitts & Nevis ( and I must offer my personal congratulations to the players and coaching staff), serious problems continue to engulf the Federation. I will point to just a couple recent cases.
The head coach that was in place preparing the selection for St. Kitts & Nevis was unceremoniously sacked; the reason put forward was that the coach did not have the proper “Immigration Papers”. But the reason given for him not being able to obtain an American Visa came only after he expressed his frustration about the manner in which the FFB handled the entire situation. Soon after, the General Secretary (during a press conference) practically acknowledged the fact that he was illegally employed by the FFB?
So, now that Houston, Texas has been confirmed as the venue of the “Home Game” against Mexico, most Belizeans will again be denied the opportunity to see, cheer and criticize our boys; yet it is expected that we should support the initiative. Moreover, there has not been any published financial statement of the matches already played. This indicates a certain lack of responsibility in that regard, and could lend itself to potential financial impropriety never seen before in the history of Belizean football, taking into account the estimated revenue this coming home game could generate.
While we browse this eventuality, it should be noted that the FFB Executive was elected under a dark cloud of founded accusations, singling out the lack of accountability and transparency as its constant companion. Ironically, the FFB has not as yet convened its Ordinary Congress that, according to its Constitution, Article 26.1, “Shall be held every year”. This present executive was elected in March, 2007, and, according to Article 26.2, “The Members shall be notified in writing at least two months in advance.” I have not been notified about the meeting.
Article 26.3 – “The formal convocation shall be made in writing at least one month before the date of the Congress, and this convocation shall contain the agenda, the President’s activity report and financial report and other relevant documents.”
If I understand the Constitution, then, we might be obliged to wait until sometime in June for the FFB to examine itself and the conduct of its affairs. Meanwhile, all affiliate members remain silent and unwilling to defend the instrument that governs them, and in so doing allow possible shady financial and managerial practices to go unaddressed.
Then an FFB Vice President on a call-in talk show some weeks ago begged us to have confidence in its leadership; but the latest FAP (Financial Assistance Program) report to the FIFA indicates a high interest in football, however complains that managers and players do not support FFB competitions. Incredibly, the proposed solutions to this vital loss in interest and revenue does not even attempt to address the problem, as the number of players registered with the FFB is at an all time abysmal low.
To understand how the FFB continues in this manner, one must first realize that players are not counted or represented in this equation. This FFB report confirms wide suspicion that the few District Chairmen who were elected do not have the support from players within their jurisdiction; they provide little or no revenue to the FFB via player registration fees, while the hand picked District Chairmen (who were themselves rejected in previous elections) offer no tangible assistance except their voting power to maintain the status quo.
Of the many counter productive measures taken in recent times, none is more exhaustive than appointing undesirable District Chairmen who are always rejected by the players and managers in that district; but the FFB continues to reward these affiliates for their disservice to the football community. Subsequently, with no obligation to anyone regionally, and nothing to report about, they remain in power. So if we now include the promise of a “big pay day” in the upcoming Belize vs Mexico match, there appears no change on the horizon, for my colleagues on the FFB executive and all affiliate members sit comfortably in quiet acquiescence.
Only a buffoon would not comprehend the less than enthusiastic support for the FFB and our National Teams under this football administration. There has not been any National Football Development Plan put forward, the GOB is still excluded (from the constitution) as a source of revenue, and the FFB is structurally disorganized, primarily as a result of its dictatorial leadership.
So, until the next Ordinary or General Congress, we can only hope that “ALL transactions and significant events are clearly documented, and the documentation is readily available for examination, that such transactions and significant events are promptly recorded and properly classified, authorized and executed only by persons acting within the scope of their authority”.
In closing, let me reiterate that the “Academy” has not been instituted and apparently no immediate action undertaken towards its implementation in the near future.
I’ll say, “time will be thy healer”.
(Ed. Note: We beg to differ with the statement in paragraph 9 above, which states “The FFB report confirms wide suspicion that the few District Chairmen who were elected do not have the support from players within their jurisdictions;..” This is the FFB’s strategy of deception and its excuse for disregarding these very active elected District Chairmen and their Associations. Case in point is the Belmopan Football Association whose competition is just reaching its championship series next week under unanimously elected Chairman, Luis Pena. Perhaps the FFB should follow the good example of this Association in adhering to its own Statutes. The Belmopan Football Association has announced its AGM and new elections to its executive. See story, “BFA schedules AGM and commences championship series next week” elsewhere in this issue. The FFB, whose office is also in Belmopan, cannot plea ignorance to this fact. Meanwhile, the FFB appointed Belmopan delegate has been soundly rejected by all football clubs in the Belmopan competition.
It is the same across the country; the vast majority of people in the football community of Belize either completely ignore the FFB leadership or consider it a pariah. Except for its appointed henchmen, the FFB is almost completely isolated, while football is raging hot all over the country. Only because of its FIFA contact, Belize is represented internationally under the FFB banner.
Further, if, as Mr. Miller suggests, the FFB appointed the previous national coach without the appropriate contractual instruments, then the FFB is in violation, again, of its own FIFA approved Statutes. Attention, please, Hon. Minister of Sports.)