FORMER chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Christopher Williams has urged Jamaicans to put their money where their mouth is by making a personal commitment to funding the nation’s sporting teams.

He said greater public support is essential if Jamaica is to be recognised for the talent and achievements of its athletes across a wide range of sports, not just its Olympic Games successes.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following his visit to Mexico for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during which host country Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, Williams highlighted Jamaica’s failure to qualify for the tournament, noting that football is one such area that requires nationwide investment.

The Reggae Boyz failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after suffering a goalless draw with Curaçao at the qualifiers. Jamaica then stumbled into the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico, seeking one last chance to make it to the big stage. The squad defeated New Caledonia 1-0, then faced DR Congo in the final. However, the dream died and was never to be revived after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the African nation.

It was a moment that led to much heartbreak among Jamaican fans, who heavily criticised the players and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Coming to the defence of the JFF, Williams emphasised the importance of investing in sporting teams.

“They make us so proud, but, when you think about it, are any of us funding the sports teams? I feel it for the JFF because I was, for five years, the chairman of the Jamaica Premier League and so the reality is we want our sports teams to do so well but very few of us — very, very few of us — are actually contributing to helping those sports teams to deliver…so that’s something that, as a nation, we have to start to put on the front burner,” said Williams.

“We need to be contributing, whether it’s $100 a month or something, to a sports development fund that can help to fund these teams. They make us proud, they give us hope, and they fill us with so much joy, but the poor JFF, the poor Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), or basketball [federation], they can’t find the money.

WILLIAMS…the poor JFF, the poor Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association or basketball [federation], they can’t find the money

Williams noted that on the world stage, Jamaica already dominates the Olympic Games in track and field events, and it would be great to have that dominance materialise in all sporting events.

“We do the Olympics, and we do the World Cup, and when we experience the Olympics, Jamaica is the megastar at the Olympics, and then you go to the World Cup, and you have to have a second team. It doesn’t feel good. So I think we all, as a country, need to just keep focusing on getting Jamaica as a world power in football. We need to be a world power in football just like we’re a world power in track and field,” he stressed.

“When we’re at the Olympics, you’re talking about being mobbed because you’re Jamaican, so I really want to encourage us as Jamaicans to give the JFF as much support as possible. It’s a tough job, so don’t cuss them. Let’s give them support, and as much support as possible. Jamaica should be in the top teams in the world,” said Williams.

In this JFF file photo, (from left) Ian Fray, Dwight Merrick, Nickalia Fuller, Miguel Coley, Tyrese Hall, Kyle Ming, Norman Campbell, and Leon Bailey have a discussion during a Reggae Boyz training at Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, ahead of their FIFA World Cup play-off final against DR Congo earlier this year. (Photo: JFF)