Jamaicans abroad have long been crucial to this country’s economy and society.

Back in the latter half of the 19th century and well into the 20th, Jamaicans flocked to Central America and Cuba to work on infrastructural projects, including the Panama Canal, as well as in agriculture – on banana and sugar estates.

Eventually, over the last 70 years especially, North America and Britain have become destinations of choice for Jamaicans seeking a better life.

Of course, Jamaican migration wasn’t all beneficial. The brain and skills drain, such as is currently being complained about in the case of nurses, is by no means new. In a real sense, Jamaica’s best have too often tended to leave.

However, throughout this long period of well in excess of 100 years, money sent back by Jamaicans overseas has been a cornerstone of the country’s economic life. Today, remittances make up well in excess of US$2 billion annually. Only tourism comes close.

Also, those returning from life abroad have mostly tended to bring with them not just their life savings, but a culture of discipline, beneficial to their communities and the wider society.

We have said all of the above to make the point that the Jamaican Diaspora can’t be ignored or disrespected. Jamaicans abroad, including descendants, have a right to believe that ‘The Rock’ is their country too.

Hence, when British-based Jamaican footballer Mr Joel Grant asserts that “Ever since I was able to make decisions, I decided I was Jamaican. I wasn’t born on the land, but my spirit was”, it strikes a strong chord with this newspaper, as it will with most well-thinking Jamaicans.

Mr Grant takes exception to those who suggest that British-born players are, by definition, less committed to the Reggae Boyz football programme than players born here.

We believe he is correct. That’s an assumption that should never be made. Mr Grant strikes the correct note, we think, when he argues that “going forward” Jamaica’s football authorities should “get the balance right between local and overseas-born players”, bearing always in mind the national motto: Out of Many, One People.

It seems to us that getting that “right balance” is the challenge. Player selections can’t be on the basis of a quota system, or any subjective belief, for example, that a professional footballer based abroad is necessarily more capable than a local player.

Choice of national players should be made based on objective criteria encompassing not just technical and tactical capacity but other elements, including physical fitness and, not least, the perceived desire to wholeheartedly represent the Black, Green and Gold.

Also, there must be a concerted effort to ensure that there are development programmes to bring local young players closer to the level of those groomed overseas. Such an achievement won’t come overnight. But a well-planned, well-coordinated effort, so lacking now, should be in place for all to see.

Those are challenges with which the Jamaica Football Federation must seek to grapple, as it moves to upgrade the national football programme in 2017.