Waiting in the wings
Reid to take reigns from Ricketts in 2019?
FORMER JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Horace Reid has remained silent regarding his interest in presidency of the body following the completion of newly elected head Michael Ricketts’ term in 2019.
This comes in the midst of reports that Reid is expected to be ushered into the role when Ricketts ends his tenure.
Reid, who was made Caribbean Football Director for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in March, said that 2019 is some distance away, and for now he is not thinking that far into the future. However, he has not ruled out mounting a challenge when the time comes.
Ricketts, when asked about whether he will look to continue in the role after 2019, said that he is focusing on working very closely with persons who could have what he describes as a “positive impact” for the next two years.
“I’m not thinking of that (challenging for another term after 2019) right, right now,” Ricketts said. “I have such great respect and admiration for Horace Reid. He’s somebody that I have known for a number of years. In fact, he started his footballing sojourn in Clarendon (where Ricketts had been serving as Football Association president) as a coach for what was then Hazard (now Portmore) United. I have known Horace Reid for a number of years and I’ve watched him move up the ranks with great skill and great fortitude.”
Ricketts said that he knows he has the full support of not only Reid, but CONCACAF as a whole, should the need arise.
“I know he will make himself available for a sit down at any time and give me full support” he shared. “In fact, he has committed himself to giving me as much support as he can. After
the election, the CONCACAF President (Victor Montagliani) called me to say congratulations and to offer his support through Horace Reid.
“It is going to be a challenge,
a real challenge, but I’m up to the task. Even though we know it’s gonna be a major repair job, I think we have the skill, the machinery and the personnel to take on this challenge.”