Private sector support for Whitmore? ... JFF boss welcomes discussions

Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) president Howard Mitchell says that while he is not aware of its members meeting to discuss a package to assist the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in providing a competitive salary for national head coach Theodore Whitmore, he is sure that they would not be opposed to the idea.

Whitmore's salary has been the topic of debate in recent weeks as he has not yet signed a new deal because he is said to be unhappy with the terms set out in the contract. It had also been reported that the former national midfielder was offered a salary worth US$3,000 (JMD$371,500) per month.

Former national coaches such as Serbian Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, who, when hired in 2006, earned an estimated US$50,000 (around J$3.3 million at that time) per month, and Winfried Sch‰fer, who, when hired in 2013 was paid US$45,000 (around J$4.5 million at that time) per month. Both coaches' salaries were funded in part by various members of the PSOJ.

However, Mitchell told The Gleaner that there has not yet been any discussion between the PSOJ and the JFF for a similar partnership regarding the contract being offered to Whitmore.

"We haven't been approached by the JFF for such a partnership, however, I don't think it is a far-fetched idea since it has been done before," Mitchell said. "But although the members (of the PSOJ) have not had any discussions about it either, it's not an idea that could not be explored."

OPEN TO PSOJ MEETING

JFF president Michael Ricketts said that he is very much open to the idea of contacting the PSOJ to discuss a possible agreement as the Federation needs as much assistance as it can get as it looks to recruit new coaches at various age levels for upcoming competitions.

"Meeting with the PSOJ is something that we must give some attention because we will need some help," Ricketts told The Gleaner. "What I'd definitely love to ask some of these people is to take on some of the coaches we are looking to employ and help us to pay them.

"We would definitely need some support, and I've started to have meetings with the different embassies that are located here. We have written to a number of them, and we got a response today (yesterday) that we'll meet with one of these several ambassadors next Thursday. So I just want to try and stay on track and hope that we can extract from some of these embassies, companies, and some of these private sector groups some kind of support and hope that the football will ultimately benefit."