Kingston, Jamaica – After 18 transformative months at the helm of the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) administrative operations, General Secretary Dennis Chung will officially demit office on Saturday, May 31, 2025, bringing to a close a tenure defined by rigorous fiscal reform and organizational stabilization.
The announcement, which follows internal discussions and recent media speculation, marks the end of a significant chapter for the JFF. While rumors circulated in recent weeks, confirmation was withheld pending the resolution of several outstanding matters.
Chung, who assumed office in November 2022, was tasked by President Michael Ricketts with stabilizing the Federation’s perilous financial condition. Today, the JFF stands on far firmer ground, thanks in large part to what Ricketts described as “achieving the goals of financial improvement.”
From crisis to compliance: A legacy of fiscal resurgence
Under Chung’s stewardship, the JFF not only met but exceeded the targets set to lift the organization out of financial uncertainty. Among the most notable achievements:
- Removal from FIFA’s Restrictive Funding list, restoring the Federation’s eligibility for full international support.
- Receipt of a Tax Compliance Certificate in 2023 and full payment of outstanding principal tax liabilities. In 2025, the JFF also secured a $66 million write-off in penalties and interest under Jamaica’s Tax Amnesty.
- A clean audit opinion on the 2024 financial statements, eliminating the long-standing Going Concern Qualification—a first in over two decades.
- Implementation of improved internal controls and governance policies.
- Positive equity position posted in March 2025, again a first in more than 20 years.
Chung’s meticulous approach helped pull the organization back from the brink, repositioning it for sustainable growth and credible football development.
President Ricketts: “We can always call on Dennis”
In reflecting on Chung’s departure, JFF President Michael Ricketts expressed both gratitude and optimism.
“I am happy that Dennis has achieved the goals of financial improvement in the JFF. The objective has been to get our financial house in order and then start to focus on the development of football in Jamaica, as it was always going to be difficult to have effective developmental programmes with the financial challenges we faced in 2022.”
Ricketts added that the door remains open for future collaboration:
“I am sure that we will always be able to call on Dennis if we need his advice, and I certainly wish him all the best in the future.”
Dennis Chung: “It wasn’t an easy road”
Chung himself described the journey as both challenging and rewarding.
“It was indeed a pleasure to work with President Ricketts, and I am pleased that we were able to achieve the objectives we set out on. A lot of credit goes to the President who had the vision of what he wanted to achieve, as that is where it starts, and the staff at the JFF, who stuck to the task and got the job done.”
He continued: “It wasn’t an easy road, but we were able to safeguard the financial future of the JFF and Jamaica’s football. I am confident that we have the staff and processes in place to continue on this trajectory.”
Looking ahead: Transition plans underway
In the days ahead, the JFF will announce formal arrangements to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the momentum gained under Chung’s leadership. President Ricketts has signaled that continuity remains a top priority as the organization enters its next phase.
