JFF expects increased revenue in 2023

IN 2021, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) recorded a surplus of more than $5 million; however, at the federation’s recent annual general meeting, General Secretary Dennis Chung reported that 2022 offered up a deficit.

Nevertheless, he believes the JFF has opened new doors and is in a position to improve their revenue stream in 2023, which will help balance, and even overturn, that deficit.

“Last year we ended up with a surplus of about $5 million. This year we had a deficit, but that was because we started up the international friendlies again,” he told The Gleaner at the JFF Congress last week.

“But we have done some work and have found some funding sources, and we are working with FIFA and Concacaf on it. So next year will be a better year,” he promised.

He pointed out that along with receiving FIFA funding, they are trying to access some financial support from Concacaf as well.

They are also in discussions with potential sponsors, and he expects an increase revenue from marketing when they appoint a new marketing manager soon.

“We are going to sponsors locally. We are actually talking to a few persons right now, especially about the women’s programme, and we are expecting some additional people to come on in January.

“We also have Adidas, who we have signed with. We should be launching the contract by the end of January, so the first quarter of next year is looking good in terms of setting up ourselves for the year.

“So we have the Adidas contract, which we should be earning quite a bit from, and we have sponsors,” he said.

He added that although there is no marketing manager at the moment, they have identified one who they are in talks with.

“A well-known person is to come in and help things. We have Chris Dehring, who is the head of the marketing committee, along with people like Glen Christian, Cari-Med CEO, so we are in a good place. We just want someone to come and assists us with the marketing from an operational point of view.”

Chung noted that the year 2022 is still not complete, as is the budget for the year; and as a result he was not willing to disclose the shortfall.

“We haven’t concluded the 2022 audit yet. I did say we have a deficit, but can’t reveal the amount as the year’s not done.

“But we are coming with some plans we are looking at in January,” he assured.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com