Western Bureau:

As a child my parents would often warn me against gloating at the misfortune of others, regardless of whatever grievance I had against them, noting that what I did not like for myself, I should not wish it for others.

While I still respect the values my parents tried so hard to instil in me, last week, I could not help but to divert a little bit and allow myself the luxury of a big grin after JFF general secretary Horace Reid publicly took the St James and Trelawny football associations to task, chastising them for their perceived laziness.

associations

Reid was clearly angered by the lack of support coming from both associations in regards to preparatory work for the upcoming CONCACAF Under-17 Championships, which will be staged in western Jamaica. Reid stated that while there was much work to be done, only a few persons were pulling their weight.

I allowed myself the luxury of a grin because I was glad that it took Reid a mere one week to realise that, especially as I believe the St James FA had been quite disingenuous when they labelled me and my Western Mirror colleague Craig Oates as troublemakers, when we wrote about their ineffectiveness in our respective columns.

Over the past two years, I have had to spend a lot of time defending my reputation against claims from persons, who feel the media should be silent in the face of wrongdoing.

During last season's St James FA end of season presentation and award ceremony, I was left stunned and embarrassed when, in the presence of JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, vice president David Watt, who was acting president at the time, looked into the television camera and stated that sections of the media were responsible for the then turmoil in the parish's football.

vindication

The fact that, on account of his personal experience, general secretary Reid is now saying the very same thing that I and Oates have been saying all along, is for the kind of vindication I have always hoped for.

For me, seeing Captain Burrell not only endorsing Reid's sentiments but echoing concerns of his own is like a personal victory for my long-standing advocacy, calling for better quality football administrator for the west. It was refreshing to hear Captain Burrell stating that, "we just have to call a spade a spade."

While I do appreciate general secretary Reid's call for those who are not committed to football to step aside, it would be my wish that the JFF give some of these people a gentle nudge towards the door, because history has shown that some of them are quite stubborn. The west is chockfull of people with good leadership qualities but they are being blocked by the profilers.

I would like to congratulate Montego Bay's Mayor, councillor Charles Sinclair, for the quality of his leadership as chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming Under-17 tournament. Had it not been for him and persons like Lilli-Mae Crawford and Marlene Brown, I don't know what would have become of our bid to get the west ready for this tournament.

Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com