Jamaica’s charismatic football boss Captain Horace Burrell took a swipe at the state-run Sports Development Foundation (SDF) for the way it does business.

The veteran football man specifically lashed the foundation for the way it handles the critical area of infrastructural development.

“There is one concern that we have, that is facilities and I am very happy that Mr David Mais is here.The current way that the SDF is going about its business in terms of improving infrastructural facilities across the island, is wrong,” said Burrell, who addressed the launch of the Digicel Premier on Thursday. put the spotlight on Mr Mais sitting in the audience just a few feet away.

“Going around and trying to do 20 facilities benefits no-one because it will not work, therefore if we concentrate on establishing one of these proper venues, say every three years, this country in the long run in terms of facilities will be much better off,” noted Burrell, aimed his comments at SDF chairman Mais, who was in attendance.

“I hope that my suggestions, Mr Mais, have not fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

Burrell, a vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and a CONCACAF executive, recommended that the SDF build four 10,000-seater multi-purpose facilities in Portland, St Ann, Clarendon and Westmoreland which would enable his organisation to host regional or world tournaments.

“That would enable us in Jamaica to apply to FIFA and the other external bodies for world-class tournaments like the Under-17 and so on,” said the principal of the Captain’s Bakery and Grill chain.

In response to Burrell’s comments, Mais said he had taken note, but made it clear that the SDF has its own agenda.

“He is the president of the highest body governing local football and I don’t take what Captain says lightly. I am saying too that we have our reason and rationale in doing things. We don’t pick things out of the air, we get request from thousands of institutions and individual clubs,” said Mais.

The SDF top man sought to remind Burrell of his organisation’s contribution to football over the years. “Maybe Captain should reflect on is that the contributions that we made to football, millions of dollars over the last couple of years and say for lightening projects, these request have come from the clubs,” he noted.

“So while I understand that he is looking at what I describe as the top end at the highest competitive level, we have to do some ground development work at the club level. Over the last several years we have been developing seating and fencing which I think help to attract more spectator to the sport,” Mais added.