Dr. Donovan Bennett emerged victorious in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) presidential election, securing a comprehensive win over Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven at the association’s annual general meeting held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Thursday.
Amidst whispers of a landslide victory, Dr. Bennett secured 67 votes compared to Heaven’s 30, demonstrating a clear mandate from the delegates present.
Following his election, Dr. Bennett expressed his commitment to revitalizing cricket in Jamaica, particularly focusing on youth development as the cornerstone of his administration.
The need to rebuild Jamaican cricket from its grassroots
Acknowledging the need to rebuild Jamaican cricket from its grassroots, Dr. Bennett outlined his immediate plans to strengthen youth cricket programs, starting from the under-13 level up to under-15. Additionally, he emphasized filling the gap at the under-23 level, an area that has been lacking attention.
Dr. Bennett underscored the importance of clubs and parish associations, highlighting them as vital components of the local cricket ecosystem. He pledged to ramp up fundraising efforts to support these entities, recognizing the critical role funding plays in driving cricket development.
Furthermore, Dr. Bennett expressed his intention to leverage his goodwill with Cricket West Indies to bolster Jamaica’s cricket initiatives, signaling a collaborative approach to advancing the sport.
Congratulations to Dr. Bennett
In response, outgoing president ‘Billy’ Heaven extended congratulations to Dr. Bennett and reiterated his willingness to contribute to cricket development under the new administration.
The newly elected executive team includes Fritz Harris as first vice-president, Dr. Akshai Mansingh as second vice-president, Laurence Garriques as secretary, and Keith Wolford as assistant secretary. Kerry Scott retained his position as treasurer, with Michael Atterbury serving as his assistant.
The directors appointed across various divisions reflect a diverse group committed to advancing cricket at all levels, from grassroots to elite competition.
As Dr. Donovan Bennett assumes the presidency, the future of Jamaican cricket holds promise, with a renewed focus on youth development and grassroots engagement at its core.
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