Is Walsh on the Wright side?

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Former Jamaica and West Indies captain, Courtney Walsh, could run for the post of vice-president of the Jamaica Cricket Association at the association's upcoming general meeting, a highly placed board source told The Gleaner yesterday.

In a Gleaner exclusive yesterday, it was reported that Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) vice-president, Lyndel 'Muddy' Wright, will challenge incumbent president Paul Campbell for the post of president later this month, and now it has been revealed that former presidential candidate Courtney Walsh could seek to be his deputy.

According to the sources Walsh, who in 2008 lost out to Campbell by just three votes, is considering teaming up with Wright, who in 2008 was his vice-presidential candidate and, unlike himself, was successful at the polls.

Voting en bloc

Back then, Wright defeated Campbell's vice-presidential candidate Dave Cameron, in what was one of several splits on the night, as voters refused to vote en bloc for the slates of either Walsh and Campbell.

Wright is yet to publicly declare his intentions to run for the presidency. However, checks with the JCA secretariat on Tuesday revealed that he has made his intentions known.

"It is being promoted that Walsh will run for the post of vice-president on the same ticket as Wright," said a highly placed Gleaner source.

"Both gentleman share similar views on a lot of issues, and feel that together they would pose a stronger challenge to Campbell.

"It is also felt that Walsh would be a good partner and understudy to Wright as, should they be successful at the polls, they would be able to garner corporate support and generate much-needed funds for the association."

No comments

However, when contacted yesterday, Walsh would neither deny nor confirm the reports, saying that at this point in time he would prefer not to make his views known.

"As I told to you (The Gleaner) the last time, I have no comment. I have not made up my mind as to what I am going to do, and since then, nothing has changed," said Walsh.

Other members of the Wright and Walsh ticket in 2008, who are expected to again make themselves available to the JCA's electorate, are incumbent assistant secretary Ian Brown and current assistant treasurer Maurice Clarke.

Both Brown and Clarke lost to Milton Henry and Major Radcliffe Daley in 2008. However, with Henry and Daley resigning recently, they have been in charge of their respective units.

The exact date of the JCA's annual general meeting and election of officers is to be announced shortly.