BOXHILL ... the sport needs a renewed commitment that has one thing and one thing only in our minds - the development of our young footballers and the maximisation of their talent

CRENSTON Boxhill, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), will not be seeking re-election when the association's Special General Meeting (Voting Congress) takes place at Sandals Negril Beach Resort on November 4.

Boxhill, 54, created a major upset when he defeated incumbent Captain Horace Burrell 54-49 at the last Voting Congress at the Starfish Resort in Trelawny on November 23, 2003.

The JFF president yesterday pointed to "two major concerns" which he said were crucial to his decision not to seek re-election as head of the country's governing football body.

He said in light of the upcoming Congress, he does not believe it "will be a level playing field", as Captain Burrell's "sponsorship of majority of the parish associations" will compromise the process. He said, too, that based on the "deep divisions" in the sport and the "most consistent effort at undermining" his administration, he was unsure how realistic it would be to build on the momentum the Federation gained recently.

Captain Burrell, through his Captain's Bakery, is the major sponsor of leagues in at least six parish associations - Manchester, St Ann, Clarendon, St Mary, St Thomas and the Western Confed, which comprises Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny - as well as the knockout competitions in a few of these parish associations.

Boxhill's decision not to seek re-election will effectively guarantee the return of the former army man as head of the local governing body at November's Congress. Burrell had long announced that he would be seeking re-election for the post of president of the JFF.

Outside of Captain Burrell and the incumbent, the name of Ambassador A B Stewart Stephenson had also been mentioned for the JFF leadership, though the KSAFA president had never confirmed any interest in the post.

In accordance with article 7 (F) of the JFF by-laws, the names of candidates for the presidency, first, second and third vice-presidents, treasurer and ex-officio director (executive officer), all of whom are eligible for re-election, must be submitted by at least three members from three separate parish associations to the general secretary 60 days before the date of the Congress - on or before Wednesday, September 5, 2007. Nominations for the aforementioned positions shall not be accepted on the floor of the Congress.

The JFF general secretary Burchell Gibson last night confirmed that as at 5:00 pm yesterday, "not more than one half of the associations had made any nominations". He added that there was no rush as the associations had until September 5, to make their nominations.

"The sport needs a renewed commitment that has one thing and one thing only in our minds - the development of our young footballers and the maximisation of their talent," Boxhill said in a statement issued to the Observer.

"I have had consultation with my family and other football interests and taking into consideration, amongst other things, the upcoming qualifiers for both the Olympics and World Cup, and therefore in the interest of Jamaica's football, I will not be seeking re-election for the 2007-2010 term and I express gratitude to all those who played a role in the successes achieved," said Boxhill, a senior certified Island
Traffic Authority inspector. Boxhill, who has served in his profession for nearly 30 years, is presently on secondment from the Ministry of Transport and Works.

In the meantime, Boxhill, though not seeking re-election, said "this is a very exciting time" for anyone seeking the position of president of the JFF.

He said the stage is set for a "relaunch of the football programme", given the groundwork of his administration, and he hoped that this "legacy" will be followed.

Boxhill, who also pointed to the rapid rise of the women's programme, said there were "some high quality sponsorship deals yet to be revealed", which should step up momentum of the 'Back to Africa' Reggae Boyz 2010 World Cup campaign. In addition, he said the National Football Academy would "definitely open its doors" before year end.

He added that his administration had committed and already begun to assist in the financing and development at the parish association level, which ought to be continued, but warned that more attention needs to be made to the issues of infrastructure, coaching techniques and the development of revenue sources independent of sponsorships.

Boxhill rose through the ranks of football, from manager at the schoolboy level to being manager of the national senior team. On the administrative side, he has been president of three parish associations - Manchester, Westmoreland and Clarendon, from whence he launched his successful bid to the presidency of the JFF.

But his near four-year tenure has been dogged by divisiveness in the federation and repeated efforts by factions allied to Captain Burrell to oust him, through efforts of 'no confidence' motions.

Following on the fairly successful nine-year reign of Captain Burrell, where the national senior men's team made a historic qualification to the 1998 France FIFA World Cup Finals, followed by the Under-17s in 1999 and the Under-20s in 2001, plus a Caribbean Cup triumph in 1998, Boxhill's administration always faced a difficult task.

His administration managed no qualification to a FIFA World Cup Finals, but Jamaica managed to win the Caribbean Cup, earned a historic silver medal at the recent Pan American Games and went mighty close to qualifying for two women's World Cup Finals at the senior and Under-20 levels.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!