Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Except for the Kingston & St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), which I understand did not affix a signature to his nomination, I was reliably informed that Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss Captain Burrell enjoyed the full backing of all 12 rural parishes when he was recently handed another four-year term at the helm of national football.

Some may argue that by virtue of the sponsorship support he has been providing to the vast majority of the rural parish associations, loyalty would dictate that these parishes would throw their support behind Burrell. I don't believe, however, that his financial help in sponsorship should be the sum total of what these parishes expect from the JFF boss.

It should be clear to all that, except for matters relating to the various national teams and the federation's global image, the JFF has been a dismal failure in areas such as fostering development at the grassroots level, having well-structured parish associations, and having suitable infrastructure to promote development.

Steer the youngsters away from bad habits

In terms of grassroots development, most of the parishes have youth programmes that are woefully inadequate in terms of having competent personnel

to steer the youngsters away from bad habits relating to techniques and tactics, which will militate against mastery of the game when they get older.

When one looks at the level of maturity showed by some of the young players who were on show at the just-concluded 2014 World Cup in Brazil, it is clear that, if we hope to see our youngsters emulating these players in the near future, we need to start preparing them properly to master the basics of the game at a younger age.

Substandard state of the playing surfaces

The second area of concern, which Burrell needs to use his much-vaunted position to deal with, is the substandard state of the playing surfaces we are using locally. Like former CONCACAF boss Jack Warner did in Trinidad & Tobago some years ago, the JFF boss must use his influence to prompt the authorities to have at least one proper playing facility in each parish.

In regard to senior club football, which in my estimation has gone to the dogs, the JFF needs to move away from the existing structure where football at the parish and confederations levels is primarily geared towards recreation instead of development. It does not make sense to be using sponsors money to promote mediocrity.

If I had my way, no parish would have more than 10 clubs participating in their major league. Those persons who love football but cannot win a place on any of the 10 teams in their parish, should be encouraged to become referees, coaches, sports journalists or just spectators. The misguided notion to have teams on every corner is a gateway to disaster.

I strongly believe that, if we want the cream of the crop in each parish to come to the fore, we have to create compact competitive leagues, which will force the players to work hard if they want to maintain their top-flight status. Under our current watered-down structure, a reasonably good player can easily become a local star without much effort.

Discussions with rural parish administrators

If the rural parish presidents, who recently threw their support behind Burrell, are really serious about presiding over progressive programmes in their respective parishes, they must demand that Burrell and the wider JFF start doing what it takes to put them on sound footing.

Based on discussions I have had had with some rural parish administrators, they are of the view that KSAFA, is the impediment to their progress as it is constantly resisting the JFF's bid to restructure national football. If that is the case, the time has come for a face-off between Burrell and KSAFA, because the message needs to go out that Kingston is not Jamaica.

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