Boxhill
Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) is in dire straits and needs to come up with $4 million to finance the away leg of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Digicel Cup fixture against French Guiana on January 16.
This was revealed by Crenston Boxhill, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), on Tuesday at the Women's League awards function at the JFF headquarters in New Kingston.
"Except for the first dollar, we do not have the second to honour the return leg fixture," said Boxhill. "We might have to play the return leg in Jamaica," he joked.
According to Boxhill, the failure to advance to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers cost the federation millions of dollars.
"It is difficult for our organisation to secure sponsorships for our programmes," Boxhill said.
But when quizzed about what would happen if enough cash was not attained in time for the trip to little known French Guiana, Boxhill stated: "We have to honour the fixtures".
TOP JOB
Boxhill, who ousted Captain Horace Burrell for the top job in football last year, was however optimistic that the funds would be acquired.
"Even today (Tuesday) I was in discussions which I don't really want to disclose now. It was very encouraging and I have no doubt that we will make it. The game will be played on the 16th, I am quite positive we will make it," Boxhill told The Gleaner.
The JFF can't depend on the gate receipts from the first leg to fund the return trip to the South American country based on recent returns from the last four matches at 'The Office'.
"That is why we are appealing to the supporters to come out and support this new development team," the president said.
According to Boxhill, he couldn't say definitely if his organisation had made a profit or loss from recent matches at the stadium.
"I can't tell you game by game; some we made a loss and one we broke even," he said.
LONG HAUL
"The sponsors said they will be in it for the long haul and I must admit that they have been assisting us and I have no doubt that they will come to the rescue for this one," said Boxhill.
The JFF boss said he knew all of Jamaica was disappointed the Reggae Boyz a did not make it to the final phase of the World Cup qualifying.
"But life goes on. I still believe that the key to the future of Jamaica's football is build a very strong foundation, so we have started by using a developmental squad to participate in the first major competition that we have and I am appealing to the fans to be patient and support the team," he said.
"I know that it will take some time to fill the stadium again but I am certain that we are on the right track and building a very solid and sound foundation for Jamaica," said Boxhill.
Jamaica will host the in-form French Guiana team on February 9. French Guiana beat Surinam 2-1 in an international friendly, disposed of Guadelope 1-0 and Dominica 4-0 while drawing with Martinque 0-0 in recent games.
