From left, Stephenson and Burrell

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) president, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, has ended weeks of speculation regarding a challenge for local football's top spot, following the announcement of the parish association's intention to support the candidacy of Captain Horace Burrell.

KSAFA came to the decision after a meeting called on Wednesday night which Stephenson had insisted was necessary before reaching any personal decision regarding the issue of his candidacy could be reached.

'Right man for job'

"We decided after Wednesday's meeting that our association would support the candidacy of Burrell, as he seems to be the right man for the job at this time," Stephenson explained. "As a result, we have decided that it is not necessary for us to put another candidate forward for the position of president.

"A couple of our delegates wanted us to examine looking to make our presence felt in other capacities,like perhaps a vice-presidency spot. But Burrell already has his team in place and we have assessed that it is a capable one.

The issue of Stephenson challenging for the spot of Jamaica Football Federation president arose quite unexpectedly, as incumbent president Crenston Boxhill pulled out of what many thought would have shaped up to be a two-horse race between himself and Captain Burrell.

According to Boxhill, he believes the electoral process would have been compromised due to the sponsorship of many of the parish associations' football leagues by the Captain's Bakery, which is owned by Burrell. The incumbent president had also stated constantly looking over his shoulders as a concern as he felt his administration was constantly undermined.

Not enough support

However according to former general secretary of the JFF, Horace Reid, Boxhill did not run because he did not have enough support from the delegates, with 11 of the 13 parish associations already backing Captain Burrell.

According to the rules governing the JFF constitution, each presidential candidate must be nominated by at least three parish associations.

With KSAFA now officially pledging their support to former president Captain Burrell, it seems that the way is clear for his return to office when the JFF voting congress takes place in Negril on Sunday, November 4.

Captain Burrell, who is widely credited as being instrumental in Jamaica's historic appearance in the 1998 World Cup in France, lost the presidency to Boxhill in the November 2003 elections.

"It didn't come to a personal decision, I can't speak on behalf of the other associations, but Burrell certainly seems to have all the support," Stephenson said.

KSAFA did, however, nominate current JFF treasurer, Rudolph Speid, for reappointment to that position in the November elections.