Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

( L - R ) WALSH , CAMPBELL

THE QUEST for the presidency of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is on in earnest with the candidates, incumbent vice-president Paul Campbell and director Courtney Walsh, using the weekend to fine-tune preparations for what is expected to be an early October election.

The post of president, which was made vacant following the decision of long-time holder Jackie Hendriks not to seek re-election, will see Campbell, a businessman and marketing professional, going up against Walsh, the former West Indies and Jamaica captain and former Test cricket world bowling record holder.

According to information reaching The Gleaner, Campbell, who is in his third term as vice president, was in Barbados over the weekend where he was involved in a series of meetings with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). However, while he was away, his campaign team was busy putting together the final touches to its 'Leadership for Today, Vision for Tomorrow' campaign.

This was in contrast to Walsh, who, over the weekend, held a campaign executive meeting where the participants finalised the team and fine-tuned the goals and objectives of the 'No Better Call Than Country' campaign.

"We had a meeting yesterday where we made some adjustments to the composition of our team and campaign plans for the way forward," said Dudley Bryan, a senior member of the Walsh campaign.

"We are a team committed to taking Jamaica's cricket to the high levels that it once was, or even higher, and we want the whole of Jamaica and, most importantly, the delegates, to know our position and vision," Bryan said.

"We don't think of ourselves. We are going to give ourselves and lives to cricket. Everyone of us putting up ourselves for office is above board. The amount of awards for fair play that Mr Walsh got at the Test level ... this is what our campaign is about ... honesty and integrity," he added.

Senior superintendent

Bryan served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for 40 years and retired at the rank of senior superintendent. He was also Stadium Safety Officer for Sabina Park during the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Campbell, who is in his third term as a member of the JCA executive, says what the Walsh campaign is proposing is what the association has been doing over the past six years and, having created and implemented several initiatives that have resulted in success at the regional youth, senior and female levels over the past six years, his intention was to continue the "progress".

"We are and have been in touch with stakeholders and things are going pretty well," said Campbell. "We have been meeting them and sharing with them our achievements over the past six years and the vision and plans for the next four years.

"Our record includes winning all major senior regional competitions, including women's cricket, creating and developing national youth teams, including a national Under-17 team, and, of late, we have been forging links with new overseas cricketing markets, including those in Europe," he said.

"While others talk about 'taking our cricket to the next level', we have been taking our cricket to the next level and this is as a result of disciplined leadership and long-term vision." he explained.

The campaigns are expected to field their own slate of candidates for the various executive posts. While Campbell has his team in place, the Walsh camp is expected to finalise its at the weekend.

The right persons

"We want to ensure that the right persons with the requisite skills are given the right responsibilities," Bryan said. "As such, we are giving ourselves another week to complete our team."

Those who will be running for positions on the Campbell slate are Dave Cameron (first vice-president), Cleveland Kedoo (second vice-president), Milton Henry (secretary), Malden Miller (assistant secretary), Major Radcliffe Daley (treasurer), and Hugh Perry (assistant treasurer).

"There is no better team out there than the one that we have assembled. This team is about continuity and succession planning," Campbell said.

The Walsh camp has so far confirmed two other candidates - Lindel Wright for the post of first vice-president, and Fitz Harris will contest the position of second vice-president.

The JCA will hold a regular monthly board meeting on September 16 at which a report on the association's audited financial statements will be presented. If approved, a decision will be taken, based on the association's constitution, to hold an election in 21 days.