Gibson
LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
ACTING GENERAL secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Burchell Gibson made his first public appearance in that position on Thursday during a press briefing held at the JFF's New Kingston office to kick-start the 2004 JNBS Federation Cup Knock-out competition.
Gibson, who was appointed to the post on January 12 by the management committee of the JFF, was sharp and concise in his delivery at the briefing and seemed to be easing comfortably in his new position.
In an exclusive interview withThe Gleaner, Gibson spoke about his new administrative duties,was asked if he felt any pressure to perform well.
"I'm not pressured (or feel pressured). I know my capabilities. Wherever there are weaknesses then I have to sought the necessary help," Gibson said.
"Additionally, I am aware that Horace Reid (former general secretary) had done an excellent job and I would want to do my best not to go below that standard," he said.
Gibson, who has been president of the Portland FA since 1996, has been with the national programme since 1997 as an assistant manager to all the national teams. His most recent position before his present one was JFF's Director of Compe-titions between 1999-2003.
Gibson admitted that it may soon be impossible for him to hold both positions as JFF general secretary and president of Portland FA as conflict of interest could arise.
"I have already discussed with my parish association that being the acting general secretary I cannot represent the parish at the JFF level," he said.
"The constitution of the JFF gives the leeway for the parish to name some one (in replacement)".
However, Gibson quickly pointed out that, "as long as the people of Portland want me to continue in that capacity as president, I will never ever give up my roots."
To focus more on the job at hand, Gibson said that a number of plans are in the making to improve the present status of the JFF and to get out of the almost $30 million debt facing the federation.
"For the very first time, the JFF will have a marketing committee which will be assisting us in marketing the Reggae Boyz," said Gibson of the new committee which comprises a number of prominent businessmen.
"It is our view that the product (Reggae Boyz) itself needs to be marketed on a wider scale, both locally and internationally and in marketing the product we are quite confident that within the next six months we will have a viable product that can take us out of this hole that we are in," he said.
Gibson holds a Master of Sciences degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and he believes that if the Reggae Boyz is marketed worldwide, similarly to the way they were during the 1998 World Cup, there will be nnumerous economical spin-offs.
"When it comes to Jamaica, outside of reggae music and tourism, the other thing on the lips of tourists is the Reggae Boyz," he said. "We need to export our talent in abundance so that the whole euphoria of the country will catch on and also benefit from the big bucks aligned to the transfer of players and benefit from the economic spin-offs for the nation."
