Sport

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president, Paul Campbell, says he is ready for any challenge that may come his way as it relates to his post at the association's upcoming annual general meeting next month.

Campbell, whose two-year tenure as president expires this year, was responding to questions posed by the media following last Saturday's all-island limited-over final, in which St Ann Cutters defeated Melbourne Kangaroos by three wickets at Sabina Park.

"It's the right of every member of the organisation to offer himself for any post," said a confident Campbell, who was officially reacting to a Gleaner article last week, in which former West Indies fast bowler and captain, Courtney Walsh, neither confirmed nor denied reports that he may once again run for the post.

"I am, however, not too concerned as I think my team at the JCA has performed creditably well and we are looking forward to completing the job that we have started," Campbell added.

Cricketing powerhouse

Walsh, who is president of local cricketing powerhouse Melbourne Cricket Club and chief stakeholder in the popular New Kingston sports bar and grill, Cuddyz, was defeated by Campbell, who is a businessman by profession, in 2008 by three votes at the association's last voting annual general meeting.

There has been much talk in cricketing circles that the former speedster would against make himself available for the presidential position.

However, when contacted by The Gleaner last week, Walsh said: "I have no comment at this time."

The article, which outlined a number of the accomplishments and failures of Campbell since his election, also resulted in a number of names being bandied about as possible candidates for the presidential post, primarily from within the JCA.

However, it is understood that those within the JCA are fearful of running for the post and becoming unsuccessful as this could result in them losing their jobs and positions after the elections.

Losing positions

"A number of persons are interested in running: however, out of fear of losing their positions and whatever benefits that come with it they are afraid of putting up themselves," said a JCA official on condition of anonymity.

Campbell, in the meanwhile, said he did not know of any other possible candidate.

"At this moment, I don't know of anyone who will be challenging me. But it would be a bit presumptuous to say that no one will," Campbell pointed out.

Campbell has been praised for delivering on a number of his promises he made prior to his election in 2008.

These include the acquisition of the services of a chief executive officer and a technical director, the restaging of a 'Cricket Festival of Stars', the forging of links between International Cricket Council (ICC) member countries Ireland and Canada, and the introduction of a national Twenty20 tournament.

His detractors, however, point to his inability to acquire sponsorship for the country's top competitions - the Super League and Senior Cup, and the all-island Limited Overs Knockout - as well as the resignations of two of his executive's prominent members, former treasurer, banker Major Radcliffe Daley, and former secretary Milton Henry. These they cite as signs that his leadership is lacking.

Former West Indies off-spinner, Nehimiah Perry, also recently resigned from his post as chairman of selectors, following a row concerning selection process and procedures.