Adrian Frater, News Editor

Speid

Western Bureau

Delegates at yesterday's Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) annual congress in Montego Bay rejected the federation's financial statement, claiming that it was not circulated for the perusal of delegates ahead of the congress as per constitution.

Treasurer Rudolph Speid was subsequently mandated to have the financial statement circulated forthwith so as to facilitate an extraordinary congress in 60 days to examine the Federation's accounts for the last administrative year.

Speid, who was earlier ratified as treasurer by the delegates, blamed the failure to circulate the financial statement on the fact that he was required to revisit certain transactions dating back to 2004.

However, he declared that the federation's account was in order and reasonably good shape, especially in regards to funding for the 'Back to Africa' 2010 World Cup campaign.

"We have over J$447 million in confirmed sponsorship for the 'Back to Africa' campaign and we have other sponsors out there waiting to come aboard," said Speid. "The situation is looking quite good and I think we are well on the way to realising the J$1.7 billion required to cover the entire programme."

Unlike recent years, the congress was devoid of the petty squabbles and mud-slinging as for the most part the delegates were non-confrontational, a feature which JFF president Crenston Boxhill described as most "refreshing and productive".

Petty squabbles

"The petty squabbles were missing today and we were able to conduct our business in an orderly manner," said Boxhill. "This is the way it ought to be. We will have our disagreement, but nothing is wrong with doing things in the mature manner we operated today."

During the course of the congress, a motion calling for the JFF's voting congress to be staged 'during a World Cup year', which would offer each new administration the latitude to develop their respective programme from 'scratch', was adopted and will be up for ratification at the extraordinary congress to deal with the financial statement.

"I think it would be very good if this motion is ratified," said general secretary of the Hanover Football Association, Sheridan Samuels, who supported the motion. "When a new administration comes into office mid-way a World Cup campaign they are at a disadvantage as they are forced to accept the programme in place, instead of developing one of their own."

According to the proposal, which was tabled by president of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, the voting congress would be held no later than three months after each World Cup final, allowing the new administration a chance to run a full programme.