Ricketts is new JFF boss

​Michael Ricketts was on Saturday elected as the new president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) after he defeated Ambassador Stewart Stephenson by eight votes to five at a Voting Congress at the JFF's headquarters in New Kingston. 

Ricketts, the South Central Confederation chairman and president of the Clarendon Football Association, thanked the delegates for their support, while underlining that he is aware that there are several challenges that must be dealt with. 

He also called for immediate unity following the election and backed the administration to effectively execute its responsibilities. 

"I am very much aware of the challenges that we will face going forward but I am absolutely sure that we have the machinery and personnel that will do the necessary repair job," Ricketts noted. 

"On of my regrets this afternoon is that I ended up in a contest with Ambassador Stewart Stephenson. He was one person with whom I developed a great relationship. We all aware that when there are elections, there ought to be no strained relationships - most times there are. The healing process will not take very long," Ricketts said.

Ricketts, a former Vice-President of the JFF, will serve until December 2019, completing the term of former JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, who passed away earlier this year after a long period of illness.

Several other matters were expected to be deal with at the Annual General Meeting which preceded the Voting Congress. 

Among the main items was the presentation of a financial report and annual audited reports from 2004 to 2016 by First Vice President in charge of Finance, Gary Sinclair, as well as an activity report, which was to be presented by General Secretary Raymond Grant.