ONE WAY or another, it appears that Jamaica's cricket is set to benefit from the race for the presidency of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) based on the candidacy of both individuals challenging for leadership of the association.
The two candidates, Ambassador Courtney Walsh and incumbent fist vice-president, Paul Campbell, have fine records as it relates to leadership, whether it be on or off the field, and as such it should a tough decision for delegates as to who they will choose. For Walsh, the man who has given so much to the sport of cricket on the field and is held in high regard by many Jamaicans, his candidacy is based on developing the sport at the grass-roots level and using his image and international connections to gain support from corporate Jamaica and overseas entities.
As it relates to Campbell, a business-man and marketing professional, who since joining the JCA in 2004 has spearheaded a number of committees that have led to an increase in the income of the association, his presidency would be one of building on the platform that has been created by the current administration, led by outgoing president Jackie Hendriks, and has seen the country's national teams win titles at the senior, junior and women's levels over the last few years.
The election of the next president will be made by about 100 delegates who come from various national cricketing entities, including Senior Cup and Junior Cup cricket clubs, parish associations, umpires and coaches associations, honorary members and directors, to a name a few.
The stakes are high as both campaigns are champing at the bit as to who is best person to represent the interest of Jamaica's cricket, with one criticising the other of not being "accountable and transparent" enough to manage the job, and the other accusing the next of not having the "capacity and experience" necessary to take the game into the future.
Whatever the call, the verdict is that this Thursday should see one of, if not, the closest elections in the association's history and it is the hope of all Jamaicans, who love cricket dearly, and want to see it regain its rightful position as the number-one sport in this country, that the delegates will make the right decision.
Tough task for the new boss
Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
A COLLEAGUE aptly pointed out the other day that cricket is now a media game.
On two levels that is so very true.
People used to go watch club, regional and international cricket without a second thought it was just the way you spent a fine summer day. Either that or you were actually playing the game.
Now you are lucky to see Blind Freddy, his dog and a peanut vendor at even a Jamaica game and that team boasts half the West Indies side!
Its worse at club games where the peanut vendor doesnt even turn up.
This is not simply a Jamaican malaise, its worldwide. Freddy may have a few more cricket-loving cousins who go to interstate, county or provincial games in places like Australia, England and South Africa, but attendances at those matches are woefully down on what they were just 20 years ago, as well.
Nowadays, a day or four or five, to most, appears to be too long to waste on a game and the fans prefer to get their cricket second-hand through newspapers, radio, television and the Internet.
Its so much easier, cheaper and less time consuming.
The game, itself, at the highest levels, also uses and profits from the media through huge television rights deals. Test series, one-day tournaments and now 20/20 events can, in some instances, be covered financially before Freddy and his mates even step through the gates.
Its kind of sad because I believe theres no better way to spend a hot summer day than soaking up a cricket match and a brew or two with some friends, but Im an anachronism.
The demographics of sport have changed drastically over the last two decades and our fast-food, fast-thrill societies now want fast sports and football, basketball, baseball and other games sate that appetite.
Re-energising the game
Wham-bam-thankya-maam 20/20 cricket is drawing people back to the game, but its a push to call it the saviour of the sport or the way forward.
Crickets now played in boxes in our living rooms and fans are optional.
This, of course, is killing grass-roots cricket at the club level and thats the challenge whoever takes over the reins of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) from outgoing president Jackie Hendriks on Thursday faces.
Re-energising the game at schools is a fine move but there have to be strong clubs in place to harness that young talent and push it towards the higher levels of the game.
All the clubs in Jamaica are struggling to keep their heads above water as membership plummets and their roles as the centrepoints and meeting places of their communities have diminished.
Small cadres go to the clubs to play dominoes, bridge, skittles or pool or share a Q on a few nights of the week, but they are a dying breed and not the lifeblood of the clubs, more like a tourniquet.
Courtney Walsh or Paul Campbell, whoever wins the presidency, urgently needs to look at how to boost the clubs. They know the first-hand problem, as they are intricately involved with Melbourne and Lucas, respectively; now they need to find a solution.
The next JCA president has to find a way to help and also prompt the clubs to revitalise themselves.
Theres got to be a concerted move to get the community reinvolved with the club; theres got to be something to attract the youth to the establishment - to inject some new blood and theres got to be multitasking in which crickets not the only thing going on at the ground.
Otherwise, the games going to become even more of a media sport ... and whats going to happen to Blind Freddy then?
Feedback: tym.glaser@gleanerjm.com
Walsh wants to take Jamaica to the 'next level'
Walsh
KNOWN FOR his world record-breaking feats in Test cricket, his calm persona and dignified personality, Ambassador Courtney Andrew Walsh, in offering himself for the presidency of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), is hoping to write another chapter in his distinguished career and take Jamaicas cricket to the 'next level'.
Many in local cricket view Walshs candidacy as a step in the right direction as, despite the achievements of the sport locally for the last four years under the presidency of Jackie Hendriks, it is felt that much more can be done to take the sport to another level.
For Walsh, whose campaign theme is, 'Team for Cricket, Team for Change', the pillars of his candidacy are youth development, getting back to the basics of the game and returning cricket to its days of former glory when it was head and shoulders above track and field and football.
"What I would love to see is us getting back to grass roots, basic cricket, and getting cricket going again in schools and communities," Walsh said.
"It is my dream to get a lot of kids off the street and into cricket and create some more Usain Bolts out of cricket," he said. "As a former player, who has benefited from the game greatly, I think I have something to contribute to the development of the game locally and, by extension, regionally and that is why I am making myself available."
To achieve his objectives, Walsh has put together a team that many would describe as being experienced in the administration of the game, as those who make up his slate have held high positions at the national and regional levels.
They include, first vice-resident and treasurer nominees Lyndel Wright and Courtney Daley, both of whom have managed Jamaica and West Indies teams; second vice-president nominee, Fitz Harris, who has been a local administrator and team manager for years; secretary nominee Dennis Gordon, a Melbourne Cricket Club administrator and veteran journalist; assistant secretary Ian Brown, who is incumbent; and assistant treasurer nominee Maurice Clarke, another former national manager.
"My team is about accountability, credibility, transparency, said Walsh. I am in it not for personal gains, but for the long-term benefit of Jamaica and West Indies cricket.
"Also, I come to the table with a lot of international connections with former international players, captains and officials of Test-playing nations. Connections which could, and can, assist my developmental plans and take the game forward," he said.
But what is it exactly that Walsh will be bringing to the table that is fundamentally different from what the current administration has offered over the last four years, initiatives and accomplishments which, many would argue, have been spearheaded by his rival, current JCA vice-president Paul Campbell?
brand name
Walsh says a brand name and image that can help sell the game more, locally, regionally and internationally.
"I want to get corporate Jamaica more involved in local cricket, as while there have been accomplishments in this regards by the present administration, much more can be done to get businesses on board and money in the coffers so that real development can take place," he said.
"Secondly, I would love to improve and enhance whatever good that has been happening to the JCA and, where necessary, make changes to areas that need to be changed.
"I think now is the best time for me to offer myself as I am willing, and have already started to make sacrifices to give back to this glorious sport that has given so much to me and has so much to offer to so many," he said.
- Jermaine Lannaman
Campbell says we need to look at the bigger picture
Campbell
UNLESS ONE is relatively close to cricket, the name Paul Campbell may not ring a bell, however for those who are, he is the incumbent first vice-president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).
Joining the JCA in 1999 as a member of its marketing committee before advancing to his current post in 2004, Campbell has seen his stocks rise over the last four years due to his leadership and result-oriented approach to management of the countrys cricketing affairs.
It was therefore little surprise to many when he decided to run for the office of president of the association after long-serving president, Jackie Hendriks, decided not to seek re-election.
Described as a no-nonsense individual by his peers, Campbells strength lies in his ability to use his experience in business and marketing to craft and implement initiatives that lead to the generation of funds.
It is these strengths, coupled with his accomplishment of engineering a national semi-professional league, which was held with relative success earlier this year, why Campbell has decided to offer himself for the post and, according to him, should he be rewarded for his performance, he would continue to build on the foundation that was laid by the current administration.
"I offer myself based on the need for cricket to be used as a tool for social intervention and nation building, said Campbell. We need a paradigm shift in the approach and focus to cricket from it being a social entity to that of a business so as to achieve the JCAs vision of re-establishing the sport as the number-one recreational activity in the country, and Jamaica as the dominant force in West Indies cricket," Campbell said.
Managing director of P&N Distributors and Construction Services, a project management, cost consultation and general construction consortium, which he and his brother operates, Campbell has been involved in cricket since the mid to late 1980s, first at his alma mater, Kingston College, and then at the Lucas and Domtar cricket clubs.
Fast-forward to 2008 and Campbell, who is running for the top cricketing office in the country against a man, Ambassador Courtney Walsh, who is greatly admired and has been there and done that as it relates to playing the game at the highest level, is hoping to do what no other person has done before become the first person that has not represented the country as a player to lead the association.
"We need to look at the bigger picture," he said. "We need to change the mindset and culture to that of a professional outlook as globalisation has taken sports, and in specific cricket, from being a recreational activity to a business activity.
"In order to achieve this, what one needs to do is clearly define the associations mission and objectives, outline various components to achieve these objectives, look at resources, monetary and human, and monitor and manage the process along a path that leads to sustainable development.
Stern and competent leader
"How do we achieve this? By the election of a stern and competent leader, one who is experienced and exposed, and is tried and tested as a leader at the highest level. That is why I consider myself the best person for the job right now," he declared.
Campbell, in his quest for history, will have the support of four of the five current JCA executives, second vice-president Cleveland Kedoo, secretary Milton Henry, assistant treasurer Hugh Perry and treasurer Dave Cameron, who will be running for the post of first vice-president.
His slate also includes Major Radcliffe Daley, who will be running for the post treasurer, and Malden Miller, who will be seeking the post of assistant secretary.
- Jermaine Lannaman
