Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) honorary secretary Fritz Harris says the ailing state of the sport forced his decision to challenge incumbent Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven for the leadership position at the next annual general meeting (AGM) expected in a few weeks’ time.

Harris, who has served as secretary throughout a number of different JCA administrations, confirmed yesterday that he will run for president at the association’s elections, which will coincide with the AGM.

“I can confirm it. It’s very early days, but I can tell you that I will contest it. It’s a recent decision, so much of the planning has not yet started,” Harris told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“It has nothing to do with a fallout in terms of cordiality. We are all good mates, but our sport is really, really struggling. Over the period we are not seeing where the leader is focused on improving the quality of the cricket,” he added, while explaining the reason for challenging the man whose ticket he ran on last time around.

Harris, a teacher by professions and one with experience in the insurance industry, said twice before he was asked to run for JCA president, but opted not to for different reasons. Now, he says, the time is right.

“In December I was asked a third time and, in the interest of the sport, I decided to put my hat in the ring. What made the difference was the mounting number of people who kept approaching me.

“It wasn’t an easy decision; it was one I mulled over, prayed over and I talked to people. I guess in the end you have to put cricket above everything else,” said the long-time JCA secretary.

Heaven, who emphatically defeated Milton Henry for the top spot at the last elections in November 2013, declared recently he will be seeking a second term.

“I intend to offer myself for another term in office, which, of course, would be my second and last term,” Heaven told the

Observer.

Heaven, who said he supports term limits for those volunteering in such positions, while adding he will always serve the interest of cricket, conceded that his over two years in charge has come with challenges.

“It has been challenging in a number of ways. I believe that with more input from different quarters and different individuals we could have achieved more.

“Having said that, if you look at our records even after the first year in office, we have done significantly well, both in terms of administration and the legal aspects,” Heaven, the chief executive officer of the CHASE Fund, said.

He said the streamlining of the JCA’s tax returns system has been one of the highlights.

The elections are widely expected to be held by the end of March, but the Observer understands there is the possibility of it being pushed back to May.