JFF, Jamballers combine for in-need past players

THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF), as a part of its outreach programme, has partnered with Jamballers and IRIE FM to bring Christmas cheer to select past players and administrators as the Yuletide season rolls in.

Through the efforts of JFF staff member Beverly Melbourne of Jamballers, gift baskets including gear and other items have been presented to former FIFA referee Dwight Royal, who has been incapacitated from an accident in Santa Cruz a few years ago. The gifts to him were presented by Patrick Malcolm, president of the St Elizabeth Football Association.

Presentations were made to former league director of the JFF, Bob West, who is in a nursing home in Mandeville, while former national player and Reno FC stalwart, Boysie Nicholson, who has been ill for some years, was also visited and presented with gifts.

“The JFF recognises the invaluable contribution that these persons have made to development of football in Jamaica, and we thought it necessary to participate in this small gesture to recognise them and bring some cheer in this Yuletide season,” said JFF president Michael Ricketts.

A total of 10 persons have been penciled in for presentations, with the final set to be done at Zip FM offices in Half-Way Tree on Wednesday.

Melbourne, who is the lead person from Jamballers and the JFF, said she was happy to be part of a project that brings smiles to the faces of these persons who have given so much in the past.

“It is a blessing to be able to move about and interact with these noble people,” Melbourne said.

“They would have given their best for the country and for football and we want to put a smile on their faces and show them that they are not forgotten.”