Ms. Arlene L. Martin, a certified business and leadership coach and strategy consultant, has been appointed Acting General Manager of the newly formed Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL). Her appointment takes effect December 1, 2020.
Naming Ms Martin to the post comes on the heels of the appointment of three independent directors and the selection of independent Chairman, Mr. Christopher Williams, who continues to strengthen its administrative structure in preparation for improved commercial success of the Jamaica Premier League.
“This is the first in a series of moves by the organization to build out our staff complement over the coming weeks,” said Williams following Ms Martin’s appointment.
Meanwhile, the PFJL continues to press forward as the 2020-2021 Premier League season draws nearer. In preparation for start of the league, clubs have advanced all registration requirements with the JFF Registration guidelines, as well as the club-licensing regime for CONCANCAF League qualification.
“The Clubs are seized with the importance of this exercise and while not yet fully complete, they are putting in all efforts for the timely completion and readiness for the league start,” Williams said.
The PFJL has also continued to advance its commercial agreements and partnerships as well as its work with the JFF to secure the approval from the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW) for the protocols governing the league.
In October, the PFJL, through the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), submitted comprehensive protocols based on the CONCACAF guidelines and and models from leagues and federations globally. These protocols covered match play, club protocols and player lifestyle protocols.
The PFJL and the JFF will meet this week before going back to the MoHW in seeking approval for a league to be played for the 2020-2021 season. Since the end of the last season in March, the only professional match played was the November 5 CONCACAF match featuring Premier League Club, Waterhouse FC.
From the perspective of the observance of protocols, the event was deemed a success, leaving the JFF and PFJL optimistic.
The Jamaica Premier league is the largest economic engine in sports in Jamaica, providing employment for more than 600 Jamaicans and generating more than $500m in economic activity.