St Catherine CA endorses Campbell for JCA presidency

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The St Catherine Cricket Association (SCCA) will be throwing their full support behind the incumbent Paul Campbell, ahead of elections for the Jamaica Cricket Association's top post.

Campbell, who has been at the helm of the association for the last two years, is expected to face opposition from Lindel Wright when elections take place on February 9, during the JCA's annual general meeting.

"We met as a group and the decision was taken that we would support Paul [Campbell]," stated Cherton DaCosta, president of the SCCA, during a press conference to launch the SCCA Sherwin-Williams Twenty20 cricket competition, at the offices of Sherwin Williams yesterday.

"Paul has been good to us, and even before he became president he was showing up at our functions, at our matches and we see this as a necessary good for the parish.

"He has been kind to us, we have never asked him to do something for us and he has not said yes, and that is what we expect from a president," he added.

DaCosta is not fearful of any negative backlash in the event that Campbell fails at the polls, as he believes it is the norm for parishes to align themselves to different candidates.

Decision

"It is no secret that there are different parishes that support different candidates; the person who will be opposing Paul is also close to us here in St Catherine, and they already know who will be supporting them," DaCosta pointed out.

"I took the decision that I will be making it public that our board has decided to support Paul [Campbell]," he added.

Campbell, who was also present at the launch, was delighted with the endorsement received from the SCCA.

"It is of significant importance to have the support of the St Catherine Cricket Association," Campbell stated. "I am elated, I am thankful and I am happy for it. When you do work and people acknowledge and state that they have the confidence in you and are committed by way of their support to you, it is heart-warming."

Campbell is also very confident ahead of next month's elections, as he is of the view that he has put in the requisite work.

"I am pretty confident that the work that I have done over the last eight years and specifically in the last two years, where we have started the process of transforming Jamaica's cricket into one of a business approach," Campbell expressed.

"Looking at corporate governance and ensuring that we are in sync with the best practices has resonated across the length and breath of the association's members, and I am positive that I will be rewarded as such," he added.