Sanjay Myers | Jamaica Observer
AMBASSADOR Stewart Stephenson, the challenger to incumbent president Rudolph Speid for the leadership of Kingston & St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), cited the need for improved management of the organisation, during the launch of his election bid at the Pollyana Restaurant yesterday.
Stephenson, who had stints as KSAFA boss from 1996-2000 and 2004-08, described the current Speid administration as a failing one, in need of fresh ideas to boost fund-raising efforts and to improve the football infrastructure in the corporate area.
“The truth is that KSAFA is in problems and we feel we have a team to lift it,” the presidential aspirant told the Jamaica Observer.
“We think the fundamental philosophy on how you develop football in the corporate area is missed.”
According to Stephenson, a proper football competitions calendar, better club and administrative structure and a focus on debt reduction are high on the agenda of his slate, labelled ‘Team Success’.
Speid, a former Jamaica Football Federation treasurer, has been president of KSAFA since taking over in 2008. He strongly thwarted a challenge from Leon Mitchell in August 2012. Speid, also the president of Premier League outfit Cavalier SC, survived a no-confidence motion to his KSAFA leadership in a close affair in September of last year.
The 2014 elections are set for August 2.
Stephenson, the veteran football administrator who was Jamaica’s ambassador to Cuba between 2002 and 2004, blasted the corporate area football body for taking a high-handed approach in its interactions with the clubs.
“The clubs should be getting the support, but as we see it, there is a talking-down-to, almost like a master and servant relationship,” he said.
Painting a group of disenfranchised and unhappy delegates, Stephenson added: “It’s a clear choice to delegates. Stick to the present team and you have nothing, no sponsorship and no infrastructure support for clubs from KSAFA. If they (clubs) come with us there will be progress. If we get certain things on track the association will be vibrant again.”
Long-time football administrator Carvel Stewart, the chairman of Harbour View FC, will run on Stephenson’s ticket as first vice-president. Mark Bennett of Brown’s Town FC, is vying for the post of second vice-president. Wayne Shaw, the president of Santos FC, and Dwayne Dillon, the boss at Rockfort FC, are trying to win seats as general secretary and assistant general secretary, respectively.
Elvis Jenkins of Maxfield Park FC is running for the post of treasurer, while Neil Reese of Pembroke Hall FC is vying to become his deputy.
“We accepted the call to come, but we made it clear that this is only for a two years because we don’t believe in stagnating leadership that sticks around forever. We assembled a young team and they want to serve. You can’t continue to run an association and have the same old tired legs running all the time. You need youth, dynamism and you need new ideas,” explained Stephenson when asked about the members on his slate.
Aspiring members of ‘Team Success’ (standing from left) Clyde Jureidini, the KSAFA development committee chairman; Peter Chin, the finance committee chairman; Andrew Price, technical committee chairman; Neil Reese, assistant treasurer; Dwayne Dillion, assistant general secretary; and Wayne Shaw, general secretary. Seated from left: Elvis Jenkins, treasurer; Carvel Stewart, first vice-president; Stewart Stephenson, president; and second vice-president Mark Bennett. Stephenson is looking to unseat current KSAFA president Rudolph Speid in the elections on August 2.