Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

CAPTAIN HORACE Burrell and Howard Aris, the heads of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) respectively, yesterday endorsed West Indies legend Courtney Walsh as he seeks the presidency of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

The men threw their support behind the former West Indies fast bowler during a press conference held at the Negril Suite at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston where Walsh introduced members of the slate that with whom he intends to take the sport into the future.

Captain Burrell, while not openly telling members of the cricketing fraternity who to vote for in the JCA elections on October 23, urged them to think carefully about their decision.

Sentiments

"As a developing nation, we have limitations," Burrell said. "So when we have an individual who is world renowned and who is well respected on the international scene, we cannot take that for granted. Those individuals will get doors open for Jamaica and the West Indies. Do not lose sight of that. I am urging you not to turn your backs," he said.

Aris was equally glowing in his views why the former West Indies captain, who retired in 2001, is suited to lead the JCA. Echoing similar sentiments to those expressed by Burrell, Aris, who initially had not intended to speak at the conference but changed his mind after he was asked, said: "When running for office in certain sports, and cricket is one of them, you need to have the ability to be heard, seen and listened to ... and one of the things that leadership requires in this day and age in sports internationally is the type of leadership that has access to influence."

Aris said regardless of what is required - sponsorship, motivation for coaches or players, or getting the entire nation in support - a catalyst is needed to pull together all the component parts so that "we can move together as a people".