Female programme hurt by footballer’s murder
Published:Sunday | July 10, 2022 | 12:13 AMRobert Bailey - Gleaner Writer
ELAINE WALKER-BROWN, chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) women’s committee has called the murder of promising female footballer player Jedine Carr a massive blow to the country’s female football programmes.
Carr was shot and killed on Friday in her home parish of St Thomas.
She is reported to have been travelling to football training along the Lloydville main road in Yallahs when the incident occurred.
Carr was part of a 15-member contingent that travelled to China to participate in the Chinese Football Development Exchange Programme in 2018.
Walker-Brown, who is also the president of the St Catherine Football Association, told The Gleaner she was shocked and saddened by the death of Carr, who had high hopes of representing the senior Reggae Girlz team.
“It is another sad day in the life of our country, (this) young woman had so much to offer to this country,” said Walker-Brown.
“She has represented us at a tender age, and she has continued to prepare herself to represent Jamaica through football at the highest level,” she said.
“Ambitious, dedicated, loyal and it is sad that we have to get news like this, but it is time for us as Jamaicans, in whatever way, to see how best we can stop what is happening and to protect the future of our young people,” Walker-Brown said.
The veteran football administrator said Carr’s death is a very tough loss to take. She has joined with JFF president Michael Ricketts in sending condolences to her family and friends.
“It is so hurtful, and I can just imagine what her parents, her family and friends, and especially the younger players that are associated with her, are going through at the moment,” Walker-Brown said.
“I don’t have much words to say because words can’t express how much it hurts to get news like this,” she said.
Carr was called to the Under-17 national training squad, played Under-15 football for St Thomas and was a member of the Yallahs High School team which participated in the aborted ISSA School Girls’ competition in 2020. Her most recent games were played with the Proven Girls Academy in the ISSA Construction 2022 Reinas Cup.