Walford will keep eyes on Heaven
St Ann Cricket Association president, Keith Walford, says he will be keeping a watchful eye on the newly elected Jamaica Cricket Association administration.
Walford, who lost in his bid to defeated Courtney Walsh for the post of second vice-president during the association’s annual general meeting last week, said his position is based on his desire to see the game develop.
“I will be looking on, not necessarily to criticise, but to see how well cricket is being moved in the direction that it needs to go,” said Walford.
“I want to see cricket in Jamaica being developed as right now, I don’t believe we are at our best. I see where basketball and other sports are getting more attention, participation, and support, and this is not how it is supposed to be,” he said.
Walford, who is also the member of parliament for South West St Ann, also pointed to areas where he believed emphasis should be placed.
“I would love to see a bigger percentage of young people going into cricket, and the hope is they deliver in this regard,” added Walford, a business executive by profession.
“We need to market the sport better and get the support of more sponsors, advertisers, and investors.
“There also needs to be a widening of the pool of cricket being played at various levels, including preparatory and primary school levels.
“What you have now is, some schools are participating, however, this is a small number compared to the prep and primary schools across all parishes that are not.”
Walford, who was openly critical of new president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven heading into the annual general meeting and election of officers, went down 80-17 to Walsh.
The margin of defeat was the highest on the day and was followed by that of Henry, the outgoing vice-president, and secretarial candidate, Junior Stewart. They went down 71-25 to Heaven, and incumbent secretary, Fritz Harris, respectively.