Race for JCA's top post set to heat up

Jermaine Lannaman, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The race to decide who will govern Jamaica's cricket over the next two years is expected to heat up considerably when presidential candidate Lyndel 'Muddy' Wright and his slate meet at a specially convened closed door meeting in Montego Bay, St James, today.

The meeting, which will be the first of its kind for the Wright slate as they seek to unseat incumbent President Paul Campbell, is expected to have in attendance members of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) board of directors, along with other cricket interests, who for one reason or another are not pleased with how the game is being governed locally.

The gathering will also see Wright presenting his vision for the association if he was to be elected at its next annual general meeting (AGM) and bi-annual election of officers, which is slated to take place on Wednesday, February 9.

Wright to share vision

"Wright will, for the first time since he made it known that he will be running for the presidency, share with the team his vision and intentions if he is elected at the polls," a highly placed JCA official told The Sunday Gleaner.

"He will also oversee the process of candidate selection for the respective posts that are expected to be contested at the elections."

Among those who are expected to be in attendance are first vice-president candidate Courtney Walsh, who lost to Campbell by three votes at the last AGM, and former treasurer and secretary Major Radcliffe Daley and Milton Henry, respectively.

Daley and Henry were voted into office on Campbell's ticket in 2008, however, after a year in office resigned due to other commitments.

Their return, however, and on the Wright-Walsh ticket, has raised speculation as to whether or not there was a fall-out with Campbell, and should they make themselves available for a post it could turn out to be a major blow for Campbell's team.

The positions which will be contested at the AGM are president, first vice-president, second vice-president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer.

On the Campbell slate, it is understood that Kingston Cricket Club President Alva Anderson will run against Walsh for the post of first-vice president, and incumbent second vice-president Cleveland Kedoo from Westmoreland Cricket Association will make himself available for another term.

For the post of secretary, Randy Nelson of the St Catherine Cricket Club is expected to put his hat in the ring, while for the position of treasurer, Campbell is expected to have former army man Derrick Worrell as his representative.

The nominees for the post of assistant secretary and assistant treasurer on Campbell's ticket are yet to be finalised.

Wright's slate, in the meantime, in addition to Walsh, is expected to feature Daley, Henry, Clarendon Cricket Association's Frits Harris, who failed in his run for secretary last time around, incumbent assistant treasurer St Mary's Maurice Clarke, and incumbent assistant secretary, Ian Brown.

It is also understood that Courtney Daley, who lost to Major Daley last time around for the post of treasurer, will again partner with Walsh and Wright.

Campbell, a businessman by profession, and who prior to his elevation to president served as a vice-president to former president, Jackie Hendriks, has had some success at the helm since defeating the well-respected and decorated Walsh on a campaign of change and transformation, and entering office with a razor slim majority of 4-3 on the association's executive.

mordernising assn

He has been credited with helping to modernise the association with initiatives such as the formation of corporate-based finance and marketing committees, and in his first year oversaw one of Jamaica's most successful year in regional cricket when the senior team won the regional four-day tournament back to back, the Under-19 copped the regional three-day and limited overs double, and the Under-15, Women and Blind teams won their respective competitions.

He has received praise for the employment of a chief executive officer in 2010, ICC World Twenty20 championship director, Robert Bryan, and restructuring of the association's technical department in the appointment of former Jamaica and West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams, as technical director, and the recent hiring of former West Indies coach, Gus Logie, as head of the national Twenty20 and four-day teams.

However, some are said to be unhappy with his leadership style and inability to effectively mend bridges with supporters of the Walsh-Wright ticket, and those coupled with continuous unproven allegations of his administration lacking accountability and transparency, have hurt his administration and despite enjoying strong support among key constituents, it is still left to be seen whether or not he will be given a second chance to continue his platform of change and transformation.

A total of 101 delegates from clubs, parish associations, affiliate and lifetime members will cast their vote at the elections.