Professional Football Jamaica Limited Chairman Chris Williams says earning the trust of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is testament of the work the body has done to improve football.

The JFF and PFJL signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, which will see PFJL control the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League for the next 10 years.

Williams and the PFJL took over the league in 2020, replacing the Premier League Clubs Association.

Their tenure was set to expire at the end of the season but Williams told the Jamaica Observer that the extension until 2034 is a reflection of their achievements.

“This is an endorsement,” he said. “It’s a clear sign that we’re moving in the right direction. All the KPIs [key performance indicators] that were set three and a half years ago were blown out of the water and the JFF recognised it. They were the ones that suggested the 10 years and I’m very very happy. The conversations and negotiations were seamless. We had some requests that it relates to the rules to ensure the commercialisation is written into the rules and they supported that and going forward we’ll be able to achieve that.”

JFF President Michael Ricketts says the decision to extend PFJL’s term was made easy after being impressed with their work since their instalment.

“I think Chris’ board of directors, his staff members, including his Chief Executive Officer Owen Hill, have done an excellent job as it relates to marketing the football product. Last season’s competition was a testimony in this regard because the culmination of the competition filled Sabina Park and it’s an indication of the work they’ve done.

“When [Technical Committee Chairman Rudolph] Speid, the gen sec [Dennis Chung] and I discussed the role and work of the PFJL, we just thought we would need to give them an extended time. So, we said let’s give them 10 years because they would need time to put plans in place and implement them. So far, we’re just very excited that what they have done so far augurs very well for the sport.”

JFF vice-president and presidential hopeful Raymond Anderson, also credited the PFJL for helping to grow the sport.

“I’m the chairman for the play-off committee which is a combination of the PFJL and the JFF and we work very close together,” he said.

“Knowing now that the product is protected, we’re more than happy to see it move to the next level. I’m hoping that Chris and his team stay on board for all 10 years to make sure we are where we want to be in the next 10 years in terms of local football.

“People must be ambitious to play for these clubs, instead of overseas. I’m really happy and wish them all the best and as the JFF, we will support them 110 per cent. His work has been vindicated so far.”

While grateful for the commendations, Williams says he doesn’t intend to rest on his laurels.

“We have achieved a sufficiently acceptable grade up to this point but we’re not satisfied,” he said.

“We’re nowhere near where we want to get to. So, we say thank you to the JFF, my board and team, corporate Jamaica and the people of Jamaica, but we’re going straight to the gym after we leave here because we have work to do. We are not stopping until the young men want to play professional football in Jamaica. That’s their career goal and we have a lot of things to do to get them that motivated and excited. We’re getting there, but we have a long way to go.”

Ricketts also has high expectations for the league in the next 10 years.

“I would for the Premier League to be an industry that markets talent of young players,” he said. “We would love to see young players yearning to be contracted to local clubs and that local clubs will seek after young players and be in a position to be remunerated. We’re hoping that the football will be in a position to change the lives of as many little boys and girls as is possible.”