JCA bust-up!

... Campbell, Brown fight ahead of today's elections

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The local cricket fraternity is still trying to come to terms with reports that Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president, Paul Campbell, and acting secretary, Ian Brown, were involved in a physical confrontation on Monday night over issues related to today's annual general meeting (AGM) and election.

The AGM and election will be held at the Wyndham hotel, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

According to Brown, who will be running for the post of secretary on presidential candidate Lyndel Wright's ticket, he was attacked and physically abused by Campbell, who after making queries as it relates to the voters list was not pleased.

"I was in my office doing some final works for the AGM at approximately 10:30 last night (Monday) when I heard a knock on the door. I then went to take a look, and it turned out to be Mr Campbell and another member of his team," explained Brown.

"I then went back to my desk, and they proceeded to ask me questions as to what I was doing, which voters were coming from where and if there were any proxy voters based on the documentation supplied by the various club associations and affiliates.

"He then probably heard some names that he did not like and was asking who was coming from club X and club Y etc. The next thing I see was Mr Campbell, who had a bottle of Guinness in hand, on top of my desk raining kicks at me left, right and centre."

Added Brown: "I had to be blocking the kicks with my hands, which stopped the blows, or else I would have got hit in my face.

"He then came down off the desk, and we collared each other, he then threatened to hit me with the bottle.

"The association's security guard then, eventually, saw and heard what was happening as we eventually ended up outside. The security then intervened, and he eventually let me go.

"I then called the police, who came and did their stuff, after which I went to central police station and made an official report."

The police confirmed that a report had been made.

"A report was made regarding an alleged assault in relation to the incident early this morning," confirmed Corporal Carla Davidson, of the Central Police Station. "We then went to investigate.

"However, upon investigation, the person in question was not seen. We don't know if the man (Brown) was lying or not, but we plan to investigate the matter further," she added.

Campbell, however, has distanced himself from the allegations, stating Brown's utterances was part of a broader conspiracy to disgrace him ahead of the polls.

He confirmed there was "a disagreement" arising from an argument, but it was primarily based around unresolved issues surrounding the elections.

Campbell also admitted using his arm to bar Brown by blocking the office door, as the assistant secretary attempted to leave without providing full details of important issues that they had been discussing.

"The man is frustrating the system... his whole conduct is not in sync with how we're supposed to be operating," Campbell told The Gleaner yesterday.

"We see a lot of information being disseminated which is not so ... as well as information that we deem to be confidential," he added.

A total of 101 delegates are slated to cast their votes at today's election, including 22 clubs and parish associations (two votes each), 16 board or directors, 24 association members, eight life members and nine affiliates.

They will vote for a new executive, as well 12 new board directors, who will run the country's cricket affairs for the next two years.

Campbell's slate for executive positions include Alva Anderson (first vice-president), Cleveland Keddoo (second vice-president), Randy Nelson (secretary), Janett Rose-Bryan (assistant secretary), Derrick Worrell (treasurer) and Derron Dixon (assistant treasurer).

Wright's slate, in the meantime, includes Milton Henry (first vice-president), Dr David Bennett (second vice-president), Fritz Harris (secretary), Brown, Nigel Logan (treasurer) and Maurice Clarke (assistant treasurer).