Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Andrew Price (right), promotions and communications manager, Wray and Nephew Limited, presents the sponsor's cheque to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Crenston Boxhill at the press conference at the JFF headquarters yesterday. At centre is Burchell Gibson, the JFF's general secretary. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
DESPITE CONTINUOUS debate surrounding the recently concluded Wray and Nephew National Premier League in terms of its new format, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Crenston Boxhill insists that the league format has had a very successful inauguration and as a result is here to stay.
"Like any thing else you will have detractors, but from where I sit I am very pleased and I think the league was a resounding success this season," said Boxhill at the JFF offices yesterday.
"The format is fixed and it is what we are going to continue to be using. We will, however, be recommending some changes that should make it even more interesting next season," he added.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED
According to the president, a committee has been appointed to review and make suggestions in terms of improving the league system and make their recommendations to the federation, but none of those suggestions will have anything to do with returning to the old competition format.
Saveral teams and fans have been of the opinion that the close of the premier league had been anticlimatic as champions Waterhouse already had the title wrapped up with one fixture remaining, a situation which would not have occurred in a semi-final, final type of format.
Boxhill, however, believes that it is a necessary part of the clubs learning to play consistent football enroute to becoming fully professional.
"The clubs must realise that they need to be playing top quality football from day one straight through to the end," he said.
PREPARATION
"You cannot use the season to prepare, get fit and then reach your peak, a big part of that has to do with solid preseason preparation.
"We are aware of the financial demands involved with keeping a team together in terms of quality preseason preparation, but we are also conscious of the fact that we have to start somewhere," he added.
As to the issue relating to many of the smaller teams who fall far behind early, or even some of the bigger clubs who may fall out of contention with several games to go, thus losing crowd support resulting in a loss of gate revenue, Boxhill believes that the onus is on the clubs to find ways to develop a loyal fan base, regardless of the format.
"I would hate to believe that you have a season running for six months and the only time that you can attract spectators is in the last four games. What happens with the rest of the season?" he queried.
