western bureau

Earlier this week, I received an urgent call from a friend urging me to drop whatever I was doing, get a hold of a radio and tune in to an afternoon sports programme on a local station, where he said Western Confederation's chairman, Everton Tomlinson, was responding to my last column.

Unfortunately, when I found a radio and tuned in, that segment of

the programme had ended. Needless to say, I called back my friend and got a synopsis of what was said. In essence, it appeared that Tomlinson was denying my claim that the 'confed' was lacking in transparency, conviction and purpose.

Tomlinson's denial came sharply on the heels of a newspaper article on Monday in which his former vice chairman, Sheridan Samuels, who is now the organisation's new treasurer, sought to cast blame on the media for the shortcomings of the 'confed', claiming journalists were promoting discord among the western parishes.

the best interest of sports in western Jamaica

In light of what I have heard and read, I wish to make it absolutely clear to all and sundry that this column is solely about promoting the best interest of sports in western Jamaica. However, I will never shy away from controversial issues, albeit my agenda has never and will never be about encouraging 'cass cass' and mud-slinging.

I have never been and will never be a pawn in anybody's chess game. As a consequence, absolutely nobody can justifiably accuse me of any unethical behaviour because, as I have always taken pride in saying, "I am 100 per cent straight."

By virtue of my administrative involvement with St. James football, I know for a fact that, despite collecting millions of dollars in sponsorship within recent years, the western 'confed' has never properly accounted for its expenditure by way of an audited financial statement. At the same time, teams, referees and commissaries are owed various sums of money.

It was, therefore, with a deep sense of relief that I read a media statement from Craig Oates, the newly-elected vice chairman of the 'confed', in which he gave a commitment that, as a matter of priority, he would personally be ensuring that the organisation puts out an audited financial statement and pay out money owed to teams, referees and commissaries.

a smile to my face

Mr. Oates' statement, which brought a smile to my face, has basically vindicated the media and made a mockery of the ranting of both Tomlinson and Samuels. I hope that they will now follow Mr. Oates' lead and try to rectify the short-comings of the 'confed' because that will be key to restoring harmony among the parishes.

I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Oates for being bold and forthright enough to publicly acknowledge that the 'confed' has been negligent in some of its basic responsibilities. If he keeps his commitment in regard to the audited financial statement and the paying of debts, his effort will certainly help to restore credibility to the 'confed.'

Like Mr. Oates, I hope the new members of the 'confed' executive will see the need to place high value on their personal integrity because, in so doing, western Jamaica's football will be the better served. It is high time that we begin to equate the 'con' in confederation with 'confidence' instead of with iniquitous behaviour.

With all the crime and violence plaguing western Jamaica at this time, we need a 'confed' that is ready and capable of meeting its nation-building role. We need to start seeing football programmes capable of drawing in our youngsters into meaningful endeavours.