Watt wants return of top-level football in St James

Western Bureau:

Long-serving football administrator David Watt, who was honoured by the St James Municipal Corporation and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) last Friday, says he wants to see the return of top-level football to the parish.

Watt, 68, received the Sam Sharpe Award for his contributions to the development of the parish in the field of sports.

The current life vice-president of the St James Football Association has served as chairman of the Western Confederation, third vice-president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), chairman of the disciplinary committee of JFF and St James FA and manager of Jamaica's football delegation and squad for the historic 1998 World Cup in France.

"I am really elated. I have to thank (the late) Captain Horace Burrell for his faith in me," Watt said.

"I really want to see football back on top in St James. Football has always been a part of me. We need sponsorship from corporate companies in St James for the clubs and football on a whole so we can get back to where we once were," he added.

Watt, who is also a justice of the peace, believes football has a major social intervention role to play in a parish infested by crime and violence.

"I am hoping that I get to see football in St James back to its best. Football keeps young people out of trouble and with the dip in football in recent times we can see that the young men are not engaged. With nothing happening they are finding other things to do," said Watt, who is also a council member of the Montego Bay Cricket Club and the Jarrett Park management.