JFF could fine parishes for neglecting youth programmes

Western Bureau:

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts outlined that parishes found to be in breach of their mandate by not having a grass-roots programme would face sanctions.

Ricketts seemed unaware that there are parish associations not playing the mandatory age-group football competitions when asked about the issue at a media interview in Montego Bay on Tuesday.

"It is mandatory that one has a grass-roots programme and JFF, through FIFA, would have given some support to each parish for this," Ricketts said. "We know that some parishes are less fortunate than others who have the financial support, from sponsors, however, once the JFF provides the financial support then you must participate in grass roots competitions."

He added:"What happened is that two or three years ago a parish didn't participate and was seriously sanctioned as the JFF has the authority to do that."

Mandatory

Apart from KASAFA, St Catherine, and Portland, only a few other parishes hosted the mandatory Under-13 and -15 grass-roots competitions. While there are parishes that only catered for the optional Under-17 and 20 age group competitions. STAR Sports was reliably informed that Hanover, St Mary and St Elizabeth did not have any youth competitions this season.

JFF's vice-president Bruce Gaynor, who accompanied Ricketts to the to interview, stated that once it is reported, the JFF will investigate.

"Report it, report it and what the JFF will do is investigate it," Gaynor said. "It's mandatory that each parish association, according to the constitution, have an Under-13 and -15 and it is optional for you to play Under-17 and 20. If it is mandatory, then you must have these competitions. I'm not sure what it is that Hanover has down there."