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$115m in the RED! - Reducing debt is top priority for JFF in 2011
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor
Monday, January 31, 2011
Acrippling debt, a largely shy corporate Jamaica and reduced support from Government through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) were the Achilles heel of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for 2010.
At the same time, the local body is optimistic 2011 will see a turnaround in its financial fortunes through increased efficiency in operations, fresh inflows of revenues and rejuvenated programmes.
“At the end of 2010 our debt stood at approximately $115 million coming from $170 million in 2009. This (reducing debt) is top priority for the JFF and we’re very optimistic that by the end of this year we will be in a much better position,” said JFF general secretary Horace Reid.
When they took office from the Crenston Boxhill-led administration in 2007, the Captain Horace Burrellmarshalled team reported a debt in the region of $120 million.
“The cost-cutting, efficiency driven measures will continue and the drive to increase revenue significantly has already commenced,” added the respected football administrator.
Reid told the Observer that the Federation was able to reduce the debt through “match fees, broadcast rights and FIFA”.
Major creditors are said to include the English FA, local statutory bodies and president Burrell himself.
Reid, also chairman of CONCACAF’s Administration Committee, said an intense drive is underway to lure further corporate support. And as also part of its overall thrust, the JFF has urged more Government help, especially in the face of a cut in the lifesaving subvention from the state-owned SDF.
“Most of the JFF’s corporate sponsorship agreements are now expired and the drive for support from this sector has commenced and is top priority,” he noted.
A tough 2010 compounded by the harsh economic climate, strangulated portions of the JFF programmes where there were reductions in staff complement. Still, there were areas of fresh air.
“2010 was very difficult from a funding standpoint. Consequently, we were not able to follow through on a number of the plans we had earmarked.
“However, we were able to rebuild the Reggae Boyz brand with a very creditable season for the senior national team, which culminated in the successful defence of the Digicel Caribbean Championships,” Reid beamed.
He also boasted of the introduction of the Level Two coaching curriculum with the support of FIFA.
“We also staged several other developmental programmes, including a FIFA FUTURO III Referees’ Workshop, FIFA WICWC seminar and FIFA club management workshop,” Reid outlined.
“We were also able to lay the foundation for our Under-17 and Under-20 national teams for 2011 FIFA Youth World Cup qualification campaigns,” he added.
But for 2011, the mission is clear and the will to achieve it unwavering, said Reid.
“The JFF has established some very clear objectives for the next four years and these include qualification to at least two FIFA Youth World Cup (and) the Brazil 2014 senior World Cup and reaching at a minimum the semi-finals of the 2011 Gold Cup.
“Also we want to see the completion of the Technical Centre at UWI, Mona, and supporting the PFAJ and the PLCA in the further development of the premier league, strengthening of the competition and technical structures at the parish associations and confederations levels,” he disclosed.
Reid, a close ally of president Burrell, revealed that special focus will be placed on structures for women’s football, the continuation of training programmes for coaches, administrators and referees, lobbying government and private enterprise for improvement of playing facilities.
St James
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1CclTrmyg
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor
Monday, January 31, 2011
Acrippling debt, a largely shy corporate Jamaica and reduced support from Government through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) were the Achilles heel of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for 2010.
At the same time, the local body is optimistic 2011 will see a turnaround in its financial fortunes through increased efficiency in operations, fresh inflows of revenues and rejuvenated programmes.
“At the end of 2010 our debt stood at approximately $115 million coming from $170 million in 2009. This (reducing debt) is top priority for the JFF and we’re very optimistic that by the end of this year we will be in a much better position,” said JFF general secretary Horace Reid.
When they took office from the Crenston Boxhill-led administration in 2007, the Captain Horace Burrellmarshalled team reported a debt in the region of $120 million.
“The cost-cutting, efficiency driven measures will continue and the drive to increase revenue significantly has already commenced,” added the respected football administrator.
Reid told the Observer that the Federation was able to reduce the debt through “match fees, broadcast rights and FIFA”.
Major creditors are said to include the English FA, local statutory bodies and president Burrell himself.
Reid, also chairman of CONCACAF’s Administration Committee, said an intense drive is underway to lure further corporate support. And as also part of its overall thrust, the JFF has urged more Government help, especially in the face of a cut in the lifesaving subvention from the state-owned SDF.
“Most of the JFF’s corporate sponsorship agreements are now expired and the drive for support from this sector has commenced and is top priority,” he noted.
A tough 2010 compounded by the harsh economic climate, strangulated portions of the JFF programmes where there were reductions in staff complement. Still, there were areas of fresh air.
“2010 was very difficult from a funding standpoint. Consequently, we were not able to follow through on a number of the plans we had earmarked.
“However, we were able to rebuild the Reggae Boyz brand with a very creditable season for the senior national team, which culminated in the successful defence of the Digicel Caribbean Championships,” Reid beamed.
He also boasted of the introduction of the Level Two coaching curriculum with the support of FIFA.
“We also staged several other developmental programmes, including a FIFA FUTURO III Referees’ Workshop, FIFA WICWC seminar and FIFA club management workshop,” Reid outlined.
“We were also able to lay the foundation for our Under-17 and Under-20 national teams for 2011 FIFA Youth World Cup qualification campaigns,” he added.
But for 2011, the mission is clear and the will to achieve it unwavering, said Reid.
“The JFF has established some very clear objectives for the next four years and these include qualification to at least two FIFA Youth World Cup (and) the Brazil 2014 senior World Cup and reaching at a minimum the semi-finals of the 2011 Gold Cup.
“Also we want to see the completion of the Technical Centre at UWI, Mona, and supporting the PFAJ and the PLCA in the further development of the premier league, strengthening of the competition and technical structures at the parish associations and confederations levels,” he disclosed.
Reid, a close ally of president Burrell, revealed that special focus will be placed on structures for women’s football, the continuation of training programmes for coaches, administrators and referees, lobbying government and private enterprise for improvement of playing facilities.
St James
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1CclTrmyg
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