Bennett: Youth football the way forward
Published:Monday | November 14, 2022 | 12:08 AM
Mark Bennett does not intend to stay on as Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) president for more than nine months.
Bennett, the sole nominee at last Saturday’s Special General Meeting (SGM) to find a replacement for Wayne Shaw who resigned recently, has revealed that he will not seek re-election when fresh elections are called in nine month’s time.
Before that time comes, however, he intends to try and secure funding as he can for the various KSAFA programmes, especially youth competitions.
“We run a total of four youth programmes and two senior programmes, so the interest is large. We have a large number of clubs and the interests are diverse.
“People say youth football is the way forward and at this point in time we only have one sponsor for our youth competitions.
“We want government and private entities to sponsor us and put their money where their mouth is. We are struggling and we need persons to come on board,” Bennett said.
He noted that football at the youth level is not for profit but for development and when sponsors invest the effects are far-reaching.
“Football clubs in some communities have a dual role in development and peace. When football is played within the communities and youngsters are involved in the club and involve in team building and discipline, it brings peace to the community and when the clubs do well the community is happy.
“The council has done things to get back in the fold but the biggest challenge is to get sponsorship for competitions,” he said.
FRESH LEADERSHIP
Due to FIFA’s mandated restructuring of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) internal structure, all parish associations are due to hold elections next year, but Bennett insists he will not be looking to extend his time in office, but will pave the way for fresh leadership.
“It is truly a honour to lead the organisation even though it is not something I sought. I never saw myself as the president of KSAFA.
“I saw myself as one to contribute and do whatever was asked of me. When Mr Shaw stepped down, executive members asked me to step up and based on the fact that there was no one offering themselves, I stepped forward.
“I know it is a big shoe to fill. KSAFA is by far the biggest football association in the country. But I do not see myself in this post for a long period.
“I was asked to step in for the nine months to ensure that systems are in place for the changeover as it relates to the revamping of the JFF constitution.
“So there comes a time when every organisation needs new leadership and renewal and I think we are at that point.
“In believe it is time for new leaders and we are going to set the pace for new leaders to come and govern the organisation.
“We have young people like Andre virtue and Dwayne Dillon and several others because KSAFA is blessed with talented administrators.
“So new people need to come forward and we must prepare the way for them to come forward,” he reasoned.
Meanwhile, Elvis Jenkins has returned as treasurer, a position that was being filled in the interim by assistant treasurer Neil Reece. Bennett’s former post, the second vice president, remains vacant.
“The immediate task at hand is to look for funding for the Super and Major League. We have a sponsor in place for those competitions, Campari is on board but there are additional needs,” he added.