And, the Football plot thickens

A few editions ago, this column referred to current state of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Football, as being in “Beast Mode”.

This was a direct analysis of the attitudes and “dog eat dog” mentality that was pervading, as elections for a new Executive Committee of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation(SVGFF) loomed.

However, the matter of adopting a new constitution took precedence, hence, the elections had to be deferred to a date to be determined early in 2024.

One thought that the postponement of the elections would have quelled the emotions and civility and the moral highway would have taken over.

But that was not to be as last Monday, November 13, at a press conference held at the Music Centre Conference Room, First Vice-President of the SVGFF Otashie Spring, used the forum to practically lambast the operations of the organisation of which he is second in command.

Despite Spring’s plea that he was representing his club SV United at the press conference, his substantive post on the executive of the SVGFF overshadows any alibi he would have advanced.

Some may come to the defence of Spring and argue that it is democracy in full effect.

On the other hand, if Mr Spring is so peeved with the happenings of the organisation, he should manfully walk away from the executive.

Undoubtedly, he would gain more respect from affiliates as his integrity would remain intact.

Spring’s actions and open denouncement of the doings of the SVGFF executive, are just droplets of what are unfolding within the politicking, as persons jostle to be re-elected.

The many overtures and the alignment of sitting executive members on slates can be assessed in different ways.

It can be deemed that there is plot against the current head of the SVGFF Carl Dickson, or a downright fight to gain ascendancy and personal development within the organisation.

As it stands, there are about four executive committee members who are openly throwing their support elsewhere.

Indeed, we are in a sad state of affairs, as the current executive members still hold their respective posts, and have the business of Football to care for in the meantime.

Seemingly, everything is at a halt, and getting back into office, clearly holds precedence.

This column was very optimistic, as expressed in a previous exposition that there would be a cooling off period, with the evident postponement of the elections.

This though is not the case, as the deferral has fuelled the intensity and the cut throat phenomenon in some quarters.

Whilst the prospective candidates and their teams make the overtures, the decision is left in the hands, hearts and brains of the affiliates who will exercise their franchise when the day comes.

The affiliates thus have to decide on the best persons who have Football’s interest and the development of the sport above their personal aggrandizement.

Again, they have to read into all candidates, look at their track records as servants of football, hence, determine who are best to lead St Vincent and the Grenadines Football administration for the next four years.

They have to be guided by their consciences and not emotions as we have seen in the past, it is only at the four-year exercise, that some people profess to love Football and have the panacea to take the sport to another level.

This sad state of affairs must come to an end sooner than later, as we cannot be only hyped football intoxicated at elections, and for the next three years and nine months, slip back into the laissez faire means of operation.

Affiliates this time around, must be the agents of change, by turning things around, by electing the best persons who can advance St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Football.