Venold Coombs has taken over the presidency of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).{{more}}

Coombs, who served in that capacity from 1985 to 1990, defeated his two challengers, Michael John and Patrick Horne, last Saturday, when the SVGFF held its Annual General Meeting, on the second floor of the Golden Apple Building, located opposite the General Post Office in capital Kingstown.

Coombs totalled 44 votes to John’s 22, with Horne mustering 2, as affiliates voted in the packed hall, which had the presence of three members of the Special Services Unit of the local constabulary in attendance.

The presidency was the first post to be determined, which paved the way for Coombs’ slate to be voted into office without much challenge.

It was easy sailing for the new First Vice President Lloyd Small, who was unopposed as Ian Sardine, a former President and outgoing First Vice President, Arnold Dalrymple, Clemroy “Bert” Francois, Dexter Walker, Cerlian Russell and Vernon Mc Dowald, all declined to face the poll.

Sardine, Dalrymple, Francois, Walker and Russell were part of John’s slate, with Mc Dowald the solitary candidate in Horne’s camp.

Likewise, Marvin Fraser claimed the Second Vice President position, as he had no rivals, as Francois, Walker, Russell, Sardine and Dalrymple, all reiterated their stance not to be considered.

However, the post of Third Vice President was a two-way contest between Paul Boucher and Francois. When the ballots were tallied, Boucher got the confidence of 45 affiliates and Francois 16.

The election phase was not without its usual discord, as once again, the eligibility of dormant teams and the determination as to who had the right to vote on behalf of one of the affiliates became contentious.

Overseen by Director of Public Prosecution Colin Williams, as well as Otis Jack and Stanley “Gunny “Hinds, the matters were dealt with speedily.

When the dust settled, Coombs immediately made known his two nominees as Committee Members. Filling these positions with immediate effect are Guy Lowe, a former national stalwart striker and Dominic Stowe.

Coombs, in accepting the post, thanked those who supported him and promised to restore Football to the glory days.

He, however, stated that his Executive’s immediate focus is the world cup qualifiers, in which St. Vincent and the Grenadines plays its next Group E match against Guatemala on October 7, here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

The gleeful and animated new president restated several of his team’s plans, which swayed the affiliates.

Coombs reiterated the intention to have a national Under-13 competition and a broadening of the Youth Development Programme.

Apart from the election of the Executive, there were the Presentation of the Executive Summary and the Presentation of Financial Statements and Audited Balance Sheet for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The general body is expected to meet soonest to elect three other executive members at their first General Meeting. (RT)