Candidates square off for football presidency
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’re just locked in to the latest version of Sports Monday. October sixth brings up the highly anticipated election of officers in the Football Federation of Belize, formerly the Belize National Football Association. And so far only two candidates have emerged. Today we want you to meet both personalities.
Daniel Fabro is a successful businessman in his won right, who brings good administrative skills to the sport.
Daniel Fabro, Presidential Candidate, Football Fed. of Bz.
“Football at this level which I am striving for is not so much football as administration, and I have a lot of experience in successful administration.”
James Adderley
“In effect, you have emerged to be the only candidate going up against Dr. Bertie Chimilio. What are your chances?”
Daniel Fabro
“I believe my chances are as good as the district chairman, really want to develop football. First of all, I am the leader of a group of us, who believe we can make a difference in football; it’s just that I am the front man. But believe me, it’s an entire group.”
James Adderley
“You have a contract with FIFA. Will it affect your status as a presidential aspirant?”
Daniel Fabro
“No. No, because my contract was signed long before any election, and that is not being done with the B.N.F.A. per se, that is being done directly with FIFA’s office. As a matter of fact, we don’t even have any dealings with the B.N.F.A. office in Belize. We deal directly with the FIFA regional office, which was originally in Trinidad but now is in Guatemala City. There’s another thing also, because some people might ask how will that also…the conflict of interest with my being an owner. I don’t have any problems facing whatever questions you may have. I don’t think it will affect that at all, but anticipating that, I plan to transfer the ownership of the Juventus Stars franchise to somebody else.”
Meanwhile, the other contender for the most powerful football post in this country is no stranger to the sport. Dr. Bertie Chimilio is seeking another term at this position. His survival in the recent chaotic football environment is nothing short of impressive.
Bertie Chimilio, President, Football Federation of Bz.
“First of all, I congratulate Mr. Fabro for stepping up. I think we need people to step up to the plate, to show that there is an interest. I don’t know how much he can manage in football, because as you know I’ve been here for ten years and he’s been around football for eight months, so that says a lot of itself. I believe that a lot of work has been done with the folks who are gonna cast the votes. And come October sixth, it’s just going to be a repetition of all the work that has been done for the last four years. I know more work could have been done, but due to the circumstances, I think that now football in Belize is ready to take off and that’s the reason why we have aspirants. Four years ago there was nobody wanting this post.”
James Adderley
“You’ve been around for ten years as you say, so what new do you have to offer in 2001.
Bertie Chimilio
“Football in all its aspects, especially in its pillars: administration, sports medicine, coaching, refereeing and youth development, these are areas that we will continue to work on.”
James Adderley
“Will you be able to pull it off on October sixth?”
Bertie Chimilio
“I have no doubt in my mind that the work that has been done, the experience that I’ve accumulated over the years, the team that I have to work with is a very professional team, is a team comprised of folks from all over the country. I know that they are willing, they’re able to make the sport move on and come 2005 you should see a big, big difference. Compare 1997 to 2005, the two terms I’ll be in office, you will say that was Chimilio’s era and Chimilio after that can go about his business and live his own life.”
James Adderley
“In effect you feel you feel confident going into October sixth.”
Bertie Chimilio
“Oh definitely, definitely. I feel very confident.”
Daniel Fabro
“It’ll be close. I hope that good sense will prevail and that the people will have enough sense and enough fortitude to vote their conscience and to do what’s right for football.”
May the best man win.
