WESTERN BUREAU
AS AN EXECUTIVE member of the St. James Football Association (STJFA), I was absolutely delighted on Wednesday when the association was presented with a cheque for $300,000 by the Captain's Bakery to cover sponsorship of the upcoming 2005 St.James/Captain's Bakery KO competition.
With the previous sponsor pulling out at the last minute, leaving the association without support for one of its premier competitions, the decision by the bakery's chief executive officer and former Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss, Captain Horace Burrell to step in to fill the void was a most welcome decision.
When one considers that the STJFA did not support the candidacy of Captain Burrell when he lost the presidency of the JFF two years ago, his decision to assist the FA speaks volumes not only of his generosity but his commitment to support the development of football at the local level.
CASH-STRAPPED
While I applaud his assistance to the STJFA, I think Captain Burrell's spur of the moment decision to assist the cash-strapped Hanover FA (HFA) was even more noteworthy. After being made aware of the daily embarrassment HFA president Lorraine Scringer was facing at the hands of persons the association owes money, he sent her back to Hanover smiling with a cheque for $250,000.
Some might argue that Captain Burrell is a wealthy man and can afford to heed the call of those in need of sponsorship and other help. I definitely cannot buy into that argument, not after seeing the kind of difficulties we face in our bid to secure sponsorship help from some of the major companies operating in Montego Bay.
Personally, I think Captain Burrell genuinely cares about our football and finds it extremely difficult not to help when he sees the need. One needs only to listen to the passion with which the former president speaks about football to realise that he genuinely cares about the development of the game.
I don't know if Captain Burrell is interested in reclaiming the leadership of the JFF, especially with his Caribbean Football Union (CFU and FIFA duties. If he does, it is difficult to see him not walking right back in, based on the level of financial support he is throwing behind football in a number of parishes.
Based on recent investigation, I discovered that the Captain's Bakery is involved in sponsorship in seven of the nation's fourteen parishes. In addition, the bakery is also the main sponsor for the JFA Western Confederation Super Football League, which is contested annually by teams from St.James, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny.
While I don't know what position the various western parishes would take, seeing that we have two of the vice presidents in the current administration, I think it will be difficult to reject Burrell if he wants to return.
I would like to use this opportunity to encourage those businesses in western Jamaica with the ability to assist in the development of sports to follow Captain Burrell's example. While not every company can come up with $300,000, I am sure the STJFA would be equally happy with whatever you are able to give.
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