THE EDITOR, Sir:
PROMPTLY FOLLOWING Burrell's announcement that significant sections of the national football programme were to be suspended with immediate effect, there came a tremendous shout from sections of the media, 'Where have all the money gone.'
In any situation to look at income only and assume that 'plenty money mus dey bout dey 'is not only simplistic it is stupid.
It is no secret that when the Captain took over the JFF, that Federation was in dire financial straights; the administrative structure was practically non-existent; whatever programmes existed were in trouble, due to inadequate resources, among other things.
Since then, the senior team has been to the World Cup final and won a game there; the under 17 team has been in the finals twice. Today the JFF is running six national programmes including two female ones.
There were three major sources of funding (1) The SDF (2) Net Income from home matches and (3) Sponsors.
Due to circumstances, affecting their own income the SDF has significantly reduced its allocation to the JFF.The National Stadium has been unavailable to the JFF for approximately eight months.
With the World Cup campaign ended, the number of the sponsors would be reduced.The five to nil loss to the USA has adversely affected our viable marketability for away friendly international matches.
Any reasonable person is able appreciate that in the given circumstances there would be cash shortage. If the money flows from the principal sources having been significantly reduced and preliminary cuts prove inadequate to address the shortage, then prudence would support a call for a halt to review the operation. It is irresponsible to incur debts in circumstances where there is no assurance of the means to repay in a timely fashion. The Captain did what good business practice demanded.
I honestly believe the wrong question is asked. We should be asking, where is the money to come from to sustain the existing programme and what is required to make it more efficient? Our national programmes need supporters.
I am, etc.,
LUCIUS C. WHITE
1 Tankerville Ave
Kingston 6
