Delves on mountain climb

Newly elected President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation Joseph Delves acknowledged that his tenure will not be an easy one, but one that could be made easier with an all hands on deck approach.{{more}}

Delves made this pronouncement as he addressed the affiliates and others present, soon after his elevation to the top post last Saturday afternoon at Football House.

Though elated at his narrow victory over standing President St. Clair Leacock, Delves asked for continued support for the affiliates who voted him into office.

Referring to his appointment as a “football revolution”, the practising lawyer said that he recognised that there was a lot of work to be done to further assist football.

He pointed to those who love football to get on board and continue the development process.

Calling his new journey a hard road, he asked that “everyone should put their shoulders to the wheel”.

“This is not about politics’, he added.

Delves commented that the removal of the executive was a demonstration of the dissatisfaction by affiliates of their performance for the past four years.

Effectively taking charge of football business, Delves noted that the completion of the current National Club Championships will go ahead as planned.

Also, part of his immediate agenda is getting several aspects of the Constitution in train and in line.

The legal minded Delves was very critical of the past executive for not following the Constitution to the letter.

His criticisms were vindicated last Saturday, as several flaws and oversights gave rise to problems, including that of eligibility of some affiliates.

Delves, in farming out his plans, pointed to the need to look seriously at the Federation’s finances.

The latest audited statements for the year ending December 2006 showed that the SVGFF has a debt of just over $500,000, with this figure expected to soar with the expenses for 2007 included.

Delves said that his Executive will implement the micro plans and the macro plans.

Among the macro plans is the implementation of the four year development plan, drafted here last year at a consultation held during the latter part of last year.

He plans to implement as far as possible some aspects of it.

Delves clipped St. Clair Leacock 40-39 in the race for the presidency.

Leacock was seeking his third successive term, having served from 2001 to 2007. Leacock also held the top post from 1980-81.

This was Delves’ first bid for a post on the national football executive.(RT)