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While nothing in life is certain, it is almost a given that the negative growth that football in western Jamaica has been experiencing for the past few years will continue.
Yes, the game will keep sliding over the next few years for several reasons.
The long overdue Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) Western Confederation will be held in Frome tomorrow evening but will be a mere formality as only one person has been nominated for each of the five categories, making a mockery of the democratic process.
Everton Tomlinson will be 'elected' to his third term in office as chairman, and while there is a shuffling around of some of the positions, it will be a case of ‘as you were’, and it is a safe bet that nothing will be done to lift the sad state of affairs of western football.
Tomlinson has been a mere figurehead in his previous two stints, and it has become painfully obvious that he either has no competence to lead the football forward or no desire. In either case, Tomlinson should not put himself up for office.
But the blame is not on his shoulders alone, as no one on the executive committee inspires any confidence in their ability to inject any life into the sad state of affairs that prevails in western Jamaica.
Whether or not we agree with Orville Powell’s decision to withdraw from the process after being nominated for president, it is inconceivable that there can be a western confederation executive without him.
It also boggles the mind that Trelawny's president Linnell McLean, a former president of the influential Kingston and St Andrew FA, and one of the more senior and experienced football administrators, is not a part of the Confed's executive.
There is very good reason why neither Powell nor McLean are part of the decision-making body: they have interest in the game of football and little or no interest in the political side of things.
And that’s exactly the problem; the Western Confederation has become more of a political lobby group, trying to influence things outside of its sphere rather than its stated goals of developing and advancing the sport.
Instead of lobbying the JFF or seeking ways to put on coaching clinics, organising youth competitions amongst the parishes and other productive endeavours, the Confed has instead found itself embroiled in one squabble after another.
Last season’s Super League saw a total of two qualified coaches spread over the 12 teams and both were from the same team, Negril FC.
Two seasons ago, after a disgraceful display during a semi-final between Granville and Montpellier in Montego Bay, the coaches of the Montpellier team were banned for life. Yet less than a week later both men were at the replay at Frome in full view of the Western Confed executives to boot.
One of the questions those putting themselves up for election must ask themselves is what will they bring to the football, or are they running for office for the profile it will give them.
Football is not a joke and must not be treated as such. We need administrators who will make a serous effort and who are dedicated to football and its growth, regardless of where their affiliations may lie.
Everton Tomlinson
Yes, the game will keep sliding over the next few years for several reasons.
The long overdue Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) Western Confederation will be held in Frome tomorrow evening but will be a mere formality as only one person has been nominated for each of the five categories, making a mockery of the democratic process.
Everton Tomlinson will be 'elected' to his third term in office as chairman, and while there is a shuffling around of some of the positions, it will be a case of ‘as you were’, and it is a safe bet that nothing will be done to lift the sad state of affairs of western football.
Tomlinson has been a mere figurehead in his previous two stints, and it has become painfully obvious that he either has no competence to lead the football forward or no desire. In either case, Tomlinson should not put himself up for office.
But the blame is not on his shoulders alone, as no one on the executive committee inspires any confidence in their ability to inject any life into the sad state of affairs that prevails in western Jamaica.
Whether or not we agree with Orville Powell’s decision to withdraw from the process after being nominated for president, it is inconceivable that there can be a western confederation executive without him.
It also boggles the mind that Trelawny's president Linnell McLean, a former president of the influential Kingston and St Andrew FA, and one of the more senior and experienced football administrators, is not a part of the Confed's executive.
There is very good reason why neither Powell nor McLean are part of the decision-making body: they have interest in the game of football and little or no interest in the political side of things.
And that’s exactly the problem; the Western Confederation has become more of a political lobby group, trying to influence things outside of its sphere rather than its stated goals of developing and advancing the sport.
Instead of lobbying the JFF or seeking ways to put on coaching clinics, organising youth competitions amongst the parishes and other productive endeavours, the Confed has instead found itself embroiled in one squabble after another.
Last season’s Super League saw a total of two qualified coaches spread over the 12 teams and both were from the same team, Negril FC.
Two seasons ago, after a disgraceful display during a semi-final between Granville and Montpellier in Montego Bay, the coaches of the Montpellier team were banned for life. Yet less than a week later both men were at the replay at Frome in full view of the Western Confed executives to boot.
One of the questions those putting themselves up for election must ask themselves is what will they bring to the football, or are they running for office for the profile it will give them.
Football is not a joke and must not be treated as such. We need administrators who will make a serous effort and who are dedicated to football and its growth, regardless of where their affiliations may lie.
Everton Tomlinson