Adrian Frater, News Editor

Outgoing president Crenston Boxhill (left), new president, Captain Horace Burrell (second left), KSAFA executive, Dawn Heron (centre), outgoing gene-ral secretary, Burchell Gibson (second right) and outgoing treasurer, Rudolph Speed, are involved in a discussion at the Jamaica Football Federation's Special Voting Congress at Beaches Negril, yesterday. - Photo by adrian frater

Western Bureau:

Newly re-installed Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss, Captain Horace Burrell, has hit the ground running, announcing a raft of plans which he hopes to implement in an ambitious bid to overhaul the beleaguered federation in the shortest time possible.

Speaking at yesterday's JFF Special Voting Congress in Negril, where he took up office after being nominated unopposed to replace Crenston Boxhill as president, Captain Burrell bemoaned the current state of national football, which he described as poor, but said he and his new administration committed to putting things right.

"Our football is in a bad shape as the current structure cannot meet the current challenges," said Captain Burrell. "We have to make some fundamental changesÉ possibly change everything, but we must make our football viable and respected again."

Captain Burrell previously served as JFF president from 1994 to 2003, when he lost a close vote to Crenston Boxhill. During his tenure, Jamaica made its only appearances in the men's senior, Under-20 and Under-17 World Cup Finals.

In his wide-ranging address, captain Burrell announced an eight-prong platform, which is at the heart of immediate plans to reshape the JFF and make Jamaica the foremost football nation in the English-speaking Caribbean, if not CONCACAF.

The eighth-prong platform outlined is as follows:

A coaching development programme, to include the development of a coaching school

A programme to develop referees with an emphasis on the international stage

Administrative reforms to include greater emphasis on financial accountability and private sector involvement

The improvement of playing facilities, with a plan to have a 10,000 seat stadium in each parish

Improving the technical and commercial viability of the National Premier League

A special youth development programme

The development of the football academy to ensure the sound technical preparation of the nation's footballers

A focus on World Cup 2010 and beyond.

SPECIFICS

New JFF team: (From left) First vice president Dale Spencer, president, Captain Horace Burrell, second vice president Bruce Gaynor, executive officer Lorraine Scringer, treasurer Gary Sinclair and third vice president, Raymond Anderson. - PHOTO BY A DRIAN FRATER

Looking at the specifics in some of the areas, Captain Burrell said Dr. Winston Dawes, a past president of the JFF, will be appointed to chair a sub-committee to develop the coaching school, which he hopes will attract government support. Tony James, another former JFF president, has also being drafted into the fold to chair a Youth Development Committee, which will also fall under the federation's technical committee.

Declaring that the federation's financial situation and indebtedness was worrisome, at best, the new president announced that renowned chartered accountant, Leighton McKnight, has be drafted to head the finance committee, with a view of putting the federation under prudent fiscal management.

"The revenue and financial accountability of the JFF requires urgent attention," noted Captain Burrell. "The current indebtedness is cause for concern and that is something we will need to look at right away."

Captain Burrell also outlined specific duties for his vice-president and executive officer. The duties are as follows:

First vice-president, Dale Spencer (who was elected unopposed as Linnel McLean, who was nominated to challenge him for the post withdrew his nomination prior to vote) - administration and marketing.

Second vice-president Bruce Gaynor - coaching, referees and youth programmes

Third vice-president Raymond Anderson - operations and competitions and the management of facilities

Executive Officer Lorraine Scringer - Women's football.

FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Regarding the football academy, now under construction at Malvern in St. Elizabeth, Captain Burrell said the current location will be up for review as according to him, it is likely to be as viable as academies in other countries. He also stated that the new Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), which now runs the NPL committee, must be broadened in scope to include Government, so as facilitate the development of playing facilities.

Pointing to the 2010 World Cup, Captain Burrell said the national programme is behind target, bemoaned the current FIFA ranking, 103rd, and heaped scorn on those who have been stating that "rankings are not important".

"I am offended by those who say that ranking is not important because that is how respect is gained across the world," said Captain Burrell. "However, I can tell you that a new dawn has arrived and I can assure you that better days are ahead."