On funding the Reggae Boyz

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM a Jamaican residing in the United States who keeps up with the Reggae Boyz every chance I get.

I am responding to the Tony Becca piece "Well said, Madam Minister" where Portia Simpson Miller responding to a comment from a member of the audience for "the government to get involved and provide top-class facilities for football in rural Jamaica."

The part of the article that I find most striking is, how much it currently costs the Jamaican government to maintain the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF): US$50,000 per month. Jamaicans living abroad support our national team in every way we can; from keeping up with commentary on radio and TV, attending matches, waving flags and wearing the national colours; it's where we are at our patriotic best.

To see the Boyz do well gives us a great feeling inside, self worth, and accomplishment.

I think, I speak for most Jamaicans living abroad when I say, I would not mind giving some financial support to the national team. A contribution of US$10 per year from all the Jamaicans living abroad would go far, to help offset the US$50,000 per month, thus freeing this US$50,000 for other sectors, such as education or healthcare.

Set up a web site to inform members with news of the Reggae Boyz and other national athletes. Charge a membership fee of US$10 - US$25 per year.

The membership fee can be used for web site maintenance and excess proceeds go to benefit national competitors like the Reggae Boyz. I know that many Jamaicans living abroad are frequent Internet users and "there is strength in numbers." I think Jamaicans living abroad is an untapped resource that the Jamaican government has not given much consideration.

I am etc.,

RUDOLPH GRAHAM

rudy_graham@hotmail.com

Austin, Texas

Via Go-Jamaica

Back to Letters