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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 25 2003 : 1:44:50 PM
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Siya
I hardly quote Tony Becca but it's football and it's good...
Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 9:32:56 AM
IP:68.130.252.55
Thank you Burrell, good luck Boxhill
published: Tuesday | November 25, 2003
By Tony Becca, FROM THE BOUNDARY
JAMAICA'S FOOTBALL has a new leader, Crenston Boxhill has taken over from Horace Burrell, and if the result is like what usually follows a good baton change in a 4x100m relay, football fans have nothing to worry about.
With both men pulling out all the stops, one to stay on and one to take over, the campaign was hot with one polling 49 and the other 54. It was close and from all reports it ended well.
Unlike most elections that are hotly contested and ends up with only a few votes separating the contestants, there was no acrimony following the result.
Based on the reports, despite his disappointment, his surprise that he did not win, the loser accepted defeat graciously and wished the winner well while the winner, in his moment of triumph, not only talked about his plans for the further development of the game, but also found time to thank the loser for the job he had done during his time in office.
During his nine years as president, Burrell changed the face of football in this country.
LAID PLATFORM
He got the government and the private sector to support football, he got the country to rally around the national team, Jamaica went to the finals of three world tournaments including the World Cup, and in his victory speech, Boxhill acknowledged that Burrell had laid the platform for the new leadership to take Jamaica's football to another level.
'I am certain,' said Boxhill, '...that Captain's work over the years has made the job a little bit easier for us.'
In the world of football Burrell is known as 'Captain', and by referring to him as 'Captain' and not Burrell, or even Horace while commending him for his contribution to the game, Boxhill demonstrated not only that he respects Burrell for what he has done, but also that he has no animosity towards him.
That was great and should be good for Jamaica's football.
After saying that he loved his country and will continue to do whatever he can to assist football, Burrell congratulated Boxhill in winning what he said was a fair election.
Although he did not say Crenston, even though he said Mr. Boxhill, Burrell wished him well.
'I have been defeated, and I concede. I can only conclude that the members have decided that he is the better man to take Jamaica's football to the next level and I wish them all very well.'
That too was great, and that attitude should also be good for Jamaica's football.
Based on what was said on Sunday, the change over, the passing of the baton, was perfect. What is important now is how it is carried over the next leg in the development of Jamaica's football.
BRILLIANT LEG
The baton was handed over, or rather, taken from one who, based on the performances of the national teams which went where no Jamaica team had ever been before, based on the money now in football, and the popularity of the game, ran a brilliant leg.
It is now in the hands of one who has promised not only to keep up the pace but as far as development is concerned, to step up the pace so that Jamaica's football will be consistently stronger and will not have to depend on Jamaicans born overseas to represent Jamaica.
If he can do that, if he and his team can really take Jamaica's football to the next stage of development, Boxhill will have done a good job - such a good job that when his time comes to leave the scene, his successor will have no choice but to say of him what he said of Burrell on Sunday.
In order to do it, however, Boxhill may need the assistance of Burrell and other members of his team. He and his team will need the help of every one in football and those who love football, and hopefully they will be all on call and ready to continue their service to the game.
As Boxhill told the delegates on Sunday, forget who you voted for, the elections are over, it is now time to build the sport.
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Karl |
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Becca on JFF Elections 2003
