JCA boss pushing for new rules

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president, Paul Campbell, says he will be pushing for a resolution to be passed regarding the election of slates rather than individuals at the association's next monthly board meeting.

According to Campbell, who is slated to face the polls in a couple of months, the move comes in the wake of the recent resignation of Chief Executive Officer Robert Bryan, and problems that he has been experiencing with members of the association's executive since he was elected in 2008.

Campbell who, back then, was a vice-president to outgoing president Jackie Hendriks, narrowly defeated fast bowling great Courtney Walsh by three votes at the polls.

He, however, did not have things going his way during the elections, as of the six other executive positions that were up for the taking, his team was only able to take secure three, giving him a 4-3 executive majority.

"Given recent events, it is clear that for the organisation to move forward, there needs to be the election of slates rather than individuals," said Campbell at a hastily convened press briefing at Sabina Park yesterday.

Addressing resignation

The press briefing, which noticeably had only Campbell supporters present, was called to address the abrupt resignation of Bryan.

"Since 2008, the association has had problems as it relates to policy and direction, a result of members of the executive not sharing a similar philosophy or vision," Campbell explained.

"We cannot allow this (division) to continue, and at the next board meeting I will to bring forward a resolution for a change in the association's constitution that will allow for presidential candidates to have slates rather than individuals running for posts."

Bryan, a tournament director of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 and the ICC World Twenty20 Championship last year, resigned after only six months on the job.

According to Bryan, who was in attendance at the press conference, his decision to leave was a result of an apparent "tribal warfare" within the organisation, between those who supported Campbell and those who did not.