Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
PRICE
THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) could soon report good news regarding the much talked about football training centre, to be located in Pottsdam, St. Elizabeth.
Just last week it was reported that the three acres of land with the partially completed Munro Villas, earmarked for purchase by the JFF to house the academy, were put up for sale on the open market after the JFF failed to complete payment in the agreed time. According to the report, the JFF had made a down payment of $2.6 m of a total sum of $22 m.
If the land was to be sold, the construction of the Academy which would be largely financed by an US$800,000 grant by FIFA, could be put in jeopardy and cause more problems for the Crenston Boxhill-led administration, which has had to beat off crisis after crisis since assuming power in November 2003.
There is already much controversy surrounding the academy as it was originally set to be built in Portmore with FIFA President Sepp Blatter actually breaking ground.
HUSTLE AND BUSTLE
Following their ascension to the presidency, the current administration decided to relocate it to an area out of the hustle and bustle and more conducive to concentration.
Despite the land being put up for sale, Boxhill did not give up hope stating that his body was getting favourable responses from corporate entities with which they were in discussions.
On the weekend, Wray and Nephew marketing executive, Andrew Price, confirmed with The Gleaner that his company was one of those in discussions with the JFF and that an agreement could be reached very soon.
"Dialogue is going on and hopefully we will have a very quick resolution and get things started as it (the academy) is needed," said Price.
He added: "I think yes that by the end of this week there should be some answers."
Price added that his company is currently doing a feasibility assessment to work out entitlements before the deal can be concluded.
"It is a lot of money and we want to ensure that when the money is injected it is properly used and it's beneficial to both parties. I do not want to discuss the figure right now but it is a significant amount and of course any development of an academy must take in a lot of money. As you know, the JFF right now is strapped for cash so they will need assistance and we are looking at it as a way of assisting the development of football in this country," explained Price.
Among the things which Wray and Nephew could require of the JFF is a share in the naming of the academy, the possible development of a logo and increased visibility in JFF activities as recognition of their contribution.
A move such as attaching the name of the producers of alcoholic beverages to the football academy, Price said would not be frowned upon by the powers that be in world football and he added that he had already received assurances of this. Precedent he said was also on his company's side.
"There is definitely precedent of this. We do not have to look too far. In the United States we know that Budweiser does a lot of academies. There is one in St. Louis, Missouri. It is something that they have done all over the country and they are very heavy into youth development so it would not be a problem for my company to get into the development of the sport," he said.
