Hinds calls on Cedella Marley to reconsider resignation

Shadow Minister for Sports Wavell Hinds has appealed to Cedella Marley to reconsider her decision to resign as Global Ambassador for the Reggae Girlz.

Hinds, who is also president of the West Indies Players’ Association, says he believes that the “unfortunate resignation of Cedella Marley is threatening to the current fabric of the support system that is responsible for the exponential growth, progress, and development of our women’s game”.

Marley resigned on Thursday, January 4. In a letter sent to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), she declared that in the past decade, the JFF has received more than US$2.75 million in the growth and development of women’s football through a joint effort between the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation and other partners.

“Our national female footballers (Reggae Girlz) have represented us with distinction and grace,” Hinds told The Gleaner yesterday.

“I want to publicly thank Ms Marley for her unwavering support and commitment to our current and future global ambassadors. Equally, I am asking Ms. Marley to reconsider her resignation in spite of the many challenges she has endured with the JFF.

“The well-documented issues between the players and the JFF have attracted the intervention of FIFPRO, the international players’ union which ensures that professional players are recognised globally,” Hinds added.

He also stated that the situation “brings into sharp focus the need for a national players’ union for professional footballers in Jamaica”.

“This proposed union, once properly established by the players and recognised by the JFF, will represent and advocate for the welfare and well-being of both our male and female players. This would be a historic accomplishment for Jamaica’s football. I am confident that most of the fundamental issues can be negotiated and agreed through a memorandum of nuderstanding or a collective bargaining agreement. The rights of every worker must be respected and protected at all times,” Hinds said.

The former West Indies left-handed opener said the situation is even more concerning, with the JFF’s annual general meeting and election due in mid January.

However, he said that whoever is elected will have the opportunity to rectify the rift between the players and the JFF administration.

“There’s a great opportunity for the successful presidential candidate to advance the rights and interests of our players, the federation’s most valuable assets. Our female footballers have done us proud. We’re duty bound to reward and respect them unreservedly,” he said.

Marley, who began her ambassadorship in February 2014, said she would continue the development of women’s football in Jamaica under the Football is Freedom initiative.