Wint denies plot to sabotage KSAFA - JFF general secretary defends plans for rural football development

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary and Former Manchester FA President Dalton Wint has responded to Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Vice-president Carvel Stewart's criticism of planned changes to how teams qualify for the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).

Wint said that the JFF's intention is to make what he describes as positive changes to the football landscape, by improving the rural associations. However, he insists that the JFF is not trying to marginalise KSAFA.

"We looked at the football structure and the competition's department came up with this grand idea of zoning the different confederations, as only KSAFA, by itself, was a confederation, which was a conflict.

"They asked KSAFA to split into two, but they wanted to remain one unit. So we put them in a group, like all parishes, and they decided to remain as one, when that would give them the option of two representatives.

"But what we are doing is not to bring down KSAFA, but to carry up the other parishes, as we are on a drive to strengthen the administrative arm of each parish, and they are getting there," he said.

NEW QUALIFICATION SYSTEM

With the new qualification system to be implemented for the RSPL next season, KSAFA's Super League winner will be grouped with that team's counterparts from St Thomas and St Catherine, with the winner of that series of games advancing to the all-island play-offs.

But Stewart sees this as another way of giving rural teams more opportunity while marginalising KSAFA's clubs.

"Right now, it's inequitable, not because we (KSAFA) get favours, but because we (KSAFA) have done more work. So do the work. Don't use your positions, because you have more of yours (persons from rural Jamaica) in JFF than Kingston and St Andrew. Use your position to strengthen the development in your parish," he insisted.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com