‘Less chaos’

THE MICHAEL Ricketts-led slate, attempting to return to the helm of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has a familiar face among its ranks who believes that change is on the horizon.

A 12th-hour injunction meant JFF elections slated for today have been postponed until a judge can hear the claims of the Pat Garel-led Beach Soccer Association, that it has been unfairly excluded from a voting process that would have dictated whether Ricketts or Raymond Anderson, who heads the Real Solid Action slate, would be president of the JFF for the next four years.

But, before that, Ricketts unveiled a slate that included Raymond Grant, who was JFF general secretary from October 2012 until his resignation in October 2017.

The slate also includes St James FA president Gregory Daley; Elaine Walker-Brown, the St Catherine FA president; and Manchester FA president Baron Watson as vice-presidents. Rudolph Speid and Bruce Gaynor will run as directors

Grant, who will run for a JFF vice-president post and is well respected as being an efficient administrator under the late Captain Horace Burrell’s administration, says that, while he voluntarily left the managing of the JFF’s affairs, his love for football has not diminished.

“First of all, my interest in football has never waned. Since I left the JFF, I have been focussing on what has been happening at the parish level. So I didn’t play that lead role at the national level,” said the Portland FA president.

His return was prompted by a request from Ricketts and Grant admits that there have been weaknesses in the JFF surrounding his very field of expertise.

“President Ricketts asked me to come in and assist him because, clearly, we recognise that there are weaknesses over the life of his administration and, based on his knowledge of my work, he believes I have something to offer,” said Grant, adding that the knowledge he had gained over his five years with the JFF will be of assistance.

‘Won’t happen overnight’

Still, in maybe what was a reassuring word to current JFF general secretary Dennis Chung, Grant suggested he would not be interfering with execution, but providing guidance and setting policy.

“I know I can make a difference. The truth is, it won’t happen overnight and the reality is that the secretariat will continue to be led by the general secretary but, obviously, I will be able to give more oversight as it relates to what is happening, and also to give guidance as it relates to some of the challenges we are facing.

“But it is not a matter that I would interfere, because there is a clear line of demarcation between the directors and the administrative side. But, in terms of the policies and so forth that will guide the administration, I will be able to lead policies and provide guidance that I expect the general secretary to implement, and so I expect that there will be smoother decision-making and less chaos than we are facing.”

So much of a draw card is Grant’s previous experience as general secretary that both slates sought to enlist his support.

But, according to Grant, he was duty-bound to stick with Ricketts, who had approached him first.

“The fact that I had committed myself to him [Ricketts], it would be very hard at that time to pull out, because we also have to look at our credibility,” said Grant.

According to Grant, the elections, which cannot happen before February 9 when Garel has her day in court, aren’t just about the president.

“What the president requires is a strong team, a competent team, a team made up of not just football men, but persons who understand what the sport requires at this time to move it.”