Despite having his resignation rejected at the start of last season’s Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) campaign, Owen Hill says he remains committed to his role as chief executive officer (CEO) of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) as he seeks to further elevate the league.

Hill, who was named CEO in September 2022, is expected to serve for a fourth straight JPL season which kicks off next month. He tendered his resignation to the PFJL board last August, days after the start of the 2025/2026 season.

However, the board met and rejected Hill’s resignation and he saw out the entire nine-month season which ended in May with Portmore United crowned champions.

With the new season set to begin in a matter of weeks, Hill told the Jamaica Observer that he has no intention of walking away this time.

“My commitment to the development of the league and Jamaican football remains strong,” he said. “I believe there is still important work to be done, particularly in strengthening the league’s operational foundation, commercial growth, and governance structures.”

“I remain motivated because I genuinely believe in the potential of Jamaican football and the Jamaica Premier League. There is too much talent, passion, culture, and opportunity around the game for us not to continue pushing forward. My role is to remain solution-oriented, keep the organisation focused, and help build a league structure that can create long-term value for clubs, players, supporters, and partners alike.”

Last season, PFJL dealt with several high-profile challenges, including the resignations of chairmen Chris Williams and his successor Livingston Morrison, financial difficulties, the lack of a consistent broadcast partner, and a lengthy hiatus caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Despite the issues, Hill says he’s confident the league is heading in the right direction as they continue to create a viable football ecosystem.

“The pressure has certainly been significant at times, but leadership in any professional environment comes with responsibility, particularly during periods of growth and transition. I have tried to manage that pressure by staying locked in on the bigger picture and not becoming distracted by individual moments or setbacks,” he said.

“What keeps me optimistic is the progress we continue to see in key areas. I am a firm believer that challenges accelerate growth. This season exposed areas where we need stronger systems, deeper operational capacity, and greater structural support, but identifying those gaps is part of the evolution of any developing organisation. The important thing is to respond with clarity, accountability, and a commitment to improvement.”

Hill, however, believes he will need greater support at the executive level after several key departures over the past few years. Operations Manager Machel Turner, Sponsorship and Executions Manager Avery Campbell, and co-CEO Kemoi Burke have all left the organisation within the last three seasons.

“I believe that is something that has to be addressed as part of the league’s next phase of development,” he said. “The reality is that a relatively small executive and operational team has been carrying a very large workload across competitions, sponsorship servicing, media, matchday execution, broadcast coordination, finance, club relations, and strategic development. While the commitment and effort of the team have been tremendous, sustainable growth will require deeper institutional capacity.”