I am appalled that the Barbados Football Association (BFA) couldn’t find it possible to appoint a Bajan to be its new general secretary.
There must have been someone from among us qualified to perform those duties.
Instead, a Canadian has been given the job.
And to think unemployment figures are reportedly very high here. I believe the opportunity has been lost to add another Bajan to the workforce.
This appointment is another reason for Bajans to become the laughing stock of the Caribbean and the international community.
I can’t and won’t be the only one who would be concerned about this development.
I’m not trying to suggest that the general secretary’s post is menial and anybody can do it, but on the other hand, it doesn’t take the brains of a rocket scientist to do the job either.
In the words of National Hero the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow: what mirror image do we have of ourselves?
Seriously, how can this appointment be justified?
At a time when there appears to be turmoil in BFA affairs, I don’t think it is appropiate to expose a non-national to the obvious internal conflicts.
A week hardly passes nowadays without some new breaking story which seems to hurt the image of the association.
It would be unfair for that person to be caught, unwittingly, in the middle of what is happening.
Inevitably, a situation could develop where she might be forced to take sides and end up being squeezed in the perennial politics of what is essentially a family affair if you know what I mean.
Someone who has local knowledge and is more familiar with the territory will be better suited at this time to serve as general secretary.
The above is just a scenario that can play out but the fundamental principle of employing a Barbadian must be the sticking point.
Everything else is just window dressing and an easy way to evade the matter.
I understand the reality of globalization so I accept nationality will not always qualify you for a job but in this instance I am not convinced that of the many Bajans who applied not one was seen as fit to be general secretary of the BFA.
I am sure the Immigration Department will be just as puzzled as I am when the individual applies for the work permit.
Not only that, we know that there was controversy surrounding the last person to hold the position.
In fact, litigation was pending in the matter.
Can it be assumed that the particular issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of all and that the BFA was free to advertise the post?
If not, what could be the legal ramifications of such a move?
As a layman, I can merely assume that the association was on solid ground before it went ahead and screened the candidates who applied for the job.
Then again, in these trying times for the association, there’s no clear road map pointing to the next destination.
• Andi Thornhill is an experienced award-winning sports journalist.