Laurie Foster | Ricketts’ masterstroke

Michael Ricketts, the President of the Jamaica Football Federation, was being buffeted from all sides for seeming missteps and accusations of maladministration, which have been taking place under his watch.

There have been faulty flight arrangements, disputes involving the Reggae Girlz’s major sponsor, Cedella Marley, and, to cap it all, distasteful public spats with both the Girlz and coaching staff over delayed payments, including salaries and bonuses. All this elicited several calls for his resignation as he was thought to be unable to handle this elevated position. However, as he announced on a recent talk show, he has thrown himself a lifeline.

Ricketts, to his eternal credit, has invited the football-loving public to engage him with their opinions to improve the sport. He has made himself available for sit-down sessions at his offices with individuals or groups on three consecutive Tuesdays in January, each day starting at 11 a.m until 2 p.m. He has gone further. He said he would extend the period if he deemed it necessary. This is in the opinion of Foster’s Fairplay, a masterstroke and one hopes that the invitation will be fully subscribed.

TALK SHOWS

If one listens to the talk-show programmes, the need for Ricketts to do something like this is quite evident. It gives the administration doubters the opportunity to air their views on how the sport is being run, as well as to suggest remedies to correct what they deem to be going wrong. Ricketts did not state whether he will be on his own or if he will have members of his administration alongside him. Although the buck stops with him, he should have at least two other persons who are involved in the organising of the football activities, so he can refer questions to them if he needs so to do. He should not be expected to know it all.

One expects a robust response to the invitation as the football fraternity has, over the years, been vocal on what they deem to be mishandling of the sport, and this refers to matters not already mentioned.

Now is the time to put the boss on the spot, at his invitation, and nail him to the proverbial cross if it is necessary. Be assured that everything will not be told, and that has to be respected. However, there are matters for which answers should be given, and it is for the public responders as well as journalists to identify them and seek credible answers.

Ricketts should be commended for this gesture, and one hopes that other heads of sporting bodies will follow suit. It is a sure way of building credibility among those who follow from the sidelines. After all, what is there to hide if your intentions are fair to the sport and its followers?

For feedback, email: laurie­foster2012@gmail.com