Walsh mum on JCA presidency rerun

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Former West Indies fastbowler Courtney Walsh is neither confirming nor denying reports that he may once again run for the presidency of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) at its annual general meeting in October.

The former world record holder for the most wickets in Tests lost in his bid for the presidency, after going down by three votes to businessman Paul Campbell in a close and fiercely contested election in 2008.

Since then, however, there has been talk that Walsh, who is also president of local cricketing giants Melbourne Cricket Club, could again run for the post, given the closeness of his defeat.

No comment

"I have no comment at this time," was the response from Walsh.

Campbell, who served on the JCA's marketing committee and was a director and vice-president of the JCA prior to his election, made several promises before he was elected in 2008.

Among these were an improvement in cricket administration and organisation; essential training equipment and modern coaching techniques; acquisition of a chief executive officer (CEO) and a technical director of the JCA by 2009.

He also promised the resumption of the Cricket Festival of Stars; forging of cricket links with Ireland and Canada; introduction of a national Twenty20 cricket tournament; closer relationship with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), and full professional cricket in Jamaica by 2012.

Since his appointment, he has made good on a number of promises including the acquisition of a CEO and technical director, the staging of a Cricket Festival of Stars, forging links between Ireland and Canada, and the introduction of a national Twenty20 tournament.

Campbell's critics, however, point to cricket administration and organisation, essential training equipment and modern coaching techniques, and a closer relationship with ISSA as areas of underperformance.