With a new date set for the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) voting congress, incumbent Michael Ricketts and challenger Raymond Anderson believe they have garnered more support as they vie for presidency of the body.

The congress was initially set for January 14 but was postponed after a court injunction granted to Beach Soccer Jamaica (BSJ) by the Supreme Court as well as intervention by world governing body FIFA.

However, the JFF received approval to host the elections after receiving FIFA’s approval along with the Supreme Court’s judgement on not extending the 28-day injunction requested by the Pat Garel-led BSJ.

The
Jamaica Observer understands that the presidential election will now take place on Sunday, March 17 in Hanover. This was decided at a JFF board meeting on Saturday.

Ricketts, who is looking to extend his seven-year stint, told the
Observer, he’s more confident of victory despite the prolonged wait.

“I canvas the number every day,” he said. “In fact, I seem to be getting more traction the longer the thing is drawn out because people have been getting frustrated and are understanding that what the persons on the other side are doing is hurting the sport.”

Jamaica Football Federation presidential candidate Raymond Anderson (second right), with members of his campaign team, former Cricket West Indies President Dave Cameron (left), Marketing Strategist Dr Cecile Dennis (second left), and Kingston and St Andrew Football Association President Mark Bennett at Jamaica Observer headquarters in Kingston. Photo: Naphtali Junior

However, Anderson, now serving as JFF’s first vice-president, says he’s also made headway with delegates.

“What I can tell you is what is good for us is what we’re saying up to now,” Anderson told the
Observer. “We’re not wrong in terms of calling out on people adhering to the constitution and things like that. The stakeholders at large are getting more confident in us because what we are saying is correct up to now.

“Our job now is to go to the finish line. What I’ve been doing is meeting with people, delegates, stakeholders like business people, companies, and individuals to make sure that when the time comes, if we’re at the finish line first, the first day we hit the ground running. My team and I are doing a lot of work on the ground at this time.”

But Ricketts is not daunted by Anderson’s challenge and is desperate to get to the polls.

“We want to just stay humble, stay focused,” he said. “My people are just intent on staying the course and it’s a journey that will present challenges, but at the end, we want to be able to boast on our legacy and our achievements. We just want to get on with the election. We do have lots of plans and activities right now and will positively affect both sides of the gender.”

Ricketts’ slate includes Gregory Daley, Elaine Walker-Brown, Raymond Grant, and Barry Watson. Rudolph Speid and Bruce Gaynor are looking to return as ordinary directors.

Anderson’s team comprises of Keith Wellington, Danny Beckford, and Jacqueline Cummings-Martin, with Dave Cameron and Carole Beckford as ordinary directors.