KSAFA leaning towards Tier Two participation

The Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) will lose their automatic spot in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Tier Two competition if they fail to take up their slot this season.

The first season of the National Tier Two competition concluded in July and all parish associations were given an automatic spot for the inaugural tournament.

KSAFA declined to participate with their clubs citing financial difficulties, while Westmoreland’s Reno were denied by the JFF for not meeting standard requirements.

The automatic spots will remain valid for one more season but if KSAFA maintains its stance and refuses to take part again this season, they will have to qualify via the play-offs thereafter and KSAFA clubs could miss out on premier league qualification for a second consecutive season.

Outgoing KSAFA president, Wayne Shaw, insists that the decision ultimately lies with the clubs but believes it makes more sense to be playing the Tier Two competition, with the prospect of qualifying for the highest level domestically.

“If we (clubs) do not want to play the Tier Two this season that is going to be a problem, because the JFF is saying that if we (KSAFA) do not take up the automatic spot, we are going to lose it after this season.

“Real Mona have an automatic spot and Meadforest will go to the play-offs in December. So we will have to make a quick decision,” he insisted.

JFF technical committee chairman, Rudolph Speid, said KSAFA’s refusal to participate in the Tier Two league is a hindrance to local football development.

He admits finance remains a major issue for clubs and associations but said for KSAFA to not play because of financial concerns was wrong, as the Tier Two will help amateur clubs make the transition to professionalism.

“Twelve of 14 associations voted for it, so it is a democracy. Money is always an issue. Teams in the premier league used to have to find their own money and ways to fund their campaign.

“But most new clubs that come into the premier league do not survive long because they lack organisation and structure.

“The difference is back then teams just qualified on sporting merit, which is very important. But now they have to demonstrate that they have proper club structure,” he said while noting that the federation assisted the Tier Two league with the referee fees, gear and travel expenses.

He pointed out that sporting merit, which governs football leagues worldwide, is not being observed in KSAFA’s decision to withhold participation from Tier Two and that it’s a concern for the JFF.

“They are circumventing a rule that governs football in the world, sporting merit, which the JFF will have an issue with if they continue to do that and not promote teams.

“They might have their reasons but it is not in keeping with our technical development, because the progression of a team from one stage to another is very important. If there is no promotion or relegation, KSAFA can run into problems with the JFF,” he insisted.

Nine teams participated in the first Tier Two competition and four are expected to join next season. If KSAFA and Westmoreland take up their automatic spots, they will also be joined by two play-off qualifiers.

The JFF ultimately wants a maximum 18 teams in the Tier Two league. They will promote two teams each season, via play-offs, after this season until they reach that quota.

“We will max out at 18 teams. Then we will look at having two zones, nine each for each half of the country. We are encouraged by what we saw and the enthusiasm that was shown in the first season and we think we are on to a good thing,” Speid said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com