Fletcher

Western Bureau:

The St James Cricket Association (StJCA), headed by regional umpire Cecil Fletcher, will be throwing its full support behind incumbent president Paul Campbell, at the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

"We are going to be supporting Paul Campbell because we like his management style, which is innovative and hands-on," said Fletcher, who in addition to being the StJCA president is also the president of the Cornwall County Board (CCB).

"He has been able to keep the board's programme on track through difficult economic times over the past two years."

Campbell is being challenged for the presidency by his vice-president Lyndel Wright, who is a former national player and a long-standing member of the JCA board of directors.

However, the StJCA, which did not support the candidacy of Campbell when he defeated West Indies fast bowling legend for the presidency two years ago, thinks he is vastly superior candidate to his current challenger Wright, who Fletcher believes lacks the requisite skills to lead at this time.

"St James does not believe Wright has the requisite skills to provide the JCA with the type of leadership that is required at this time," said Fletcher.

"We have not seen anything from him to suggest that he would do a better job than Campbell."

In praising Campbell's leadership over the past two years, Fletcher said St James' cricket has benefited immensely under his stewardship, noting he brought back Jarrett Park from the wilderness in regards to hosting regional cricket.

"We had stopped getting regional cricket at Jarrett Park but since Campbell came to office, we have started getting games again,"said Fletcher.

"Presently Jarrett Park, alongside the Trelawny multi-purpose Stadium, Chedwin Park and Sabina Park are the four venues approved by the West Indies Board for first class matches."

While St James will not be advancing any candidates for the major positions, president Fletcher said he would be going up for one of the twelve directorship positions, while StJCA secretary Corretta Longman will be seeking to become an association member.

With Fletcher being the president of the CCB, which comprises all the western parishes, it will be interesting to see if parishes such as Hanover, Trelawny, Westmoreland and St Elizabeth will take their cue from St James in the upcoming elections.

"We don't know what the other parishes will do but St James is 100 per cent in support of Campbell," said Fletcher. "He has done enough over the past two years to earn our confidence."