THE EDITOR, Sir:
REFERENCE IS made to David Minott's eloquent tribute to Capt. Horace Burrell published in The Gleaner of the 3rd December 2003.
I do not dispute that the Captain was able to galvanise Jamaican business into making large financial contributions to the football programme. He also introduced Professor Renee Simoes to Jamaica. However, we should be careful lest the praise is overstated and a disservice done to those who came before. It is not, for example, accurate to say that our football had "sunk" to depths prior to Capt. Burrell.
Let us not forget that it was under Heron Dale (the Captain's predecessor as President) that Jamaica first gained success in the Gold Cup (placing 3rd). Let us also not forget that the football talent present in Jamaica when the Captain took over was the product of decades of work by hundreds of administrators and coaches, most unheralded, who for the sheer love of the game, spent their time and money preparing youngsters.
We should never forget the contribution of Tony James, Leighton Duncan, Jackie Bell and George Thompson, to name an outstanding few. Nor should we forget the foresight of the administrators who in the late 1960's introduced to Jamaica the Brazilian coach George Penna and the successes of that team. These people were not "short-sighted pygmies" nor did they leave the captain "nothing" on which to build. They may have erred along the way but so did the Captain.
In my view it was an error not to have redirected resources towards the clubs and local programmes after the World Cup qualification. That may have placed us in a better position to qualify for 2002.
Yes, I too congratulate and cheer the Captain and his immense contribution, but never forget that he is part of a process, one which involves democratic change. I know nothing about the new leadership or its plans but I do hope that at the end of the day Jamaica's football will be the victor.
I am, etc.,
DAVID G. BATTS
Spanish Town, St. Catherine
