KCOld Boy (1974-1979) and business executive, Paul Campbell created history when he became the first Fortis to attain the presidency of Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).
Campaigning on a 12-point manifesto under the theme Leadership for Today…. Vision for Tomorrow and with the vision of Re-establishing cricket as the #1 sport and recreational activity in the country, the former JCA 1st vice president eked out a narrow 50-47 victory over West Indies Cricket Legend Courtney Walsh at the Association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Jamaica Pegasus on Thursday, October 23,2008.
After weeks of the most intense campaign ever witnessed the history of the JCA, the 100 delegates who convened at Jamaica Pegasus’ Talk of the Town, were asked to decide between Sir Allen Standford’s, Horace Burrell’s and Howard Aris’ endorsed name brand Courtney Walsh led team that hoped to see cricket get back to the basics in schools and communities, offering of a mentoring programme involving past players as well as a youth development programme and banking on the Legend’s ability to ’open doors’; against a Paul Campbell slate of tried, tested and proven administrators, the man who in 2005 led the team that crafted the JCA’s Strategic Plan that registered spin off successes such as :improvement in the national teams performance and results; the integration of women’ s cricket in the fabric of the JCA; the introduction of a semi professional cricket League in Jamaica; legacy programmes and facilities from Cricket World Cup.
Among the Campbell led team’s global, regional and local views were to treat cricket as a business and promote cricketer awareness, which include protecting their rights, images and safety, along with insurance. The former Secretary and Manager of Lucas Cricket Club (1996-98) also wants to see greater player development; technical and infrastructural development; improved cricket administration, organization and financial sustainability; the creation of a cricket centre of excellence; more resources for youth programmes and the implementation of a fully professional cricket league in the island by 2012.
Campbell indicated that he was looking forward “to getting back to the hard work at hand “ and was willing to work closely with Walsh.
