 Much
about Crenston Boxhill makes him easily recognized as the President of
the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Football is by far the most
publicized sport in Jamaica, ensuring that his position is very high
profile. Physically, he is towering – with his boxer-like built, but
the measure of his appeal extends with grace, from his clean shaved
forehead, elegantly suited profile, his inviting smile, but
nonetheless warm, humble and sociable disposition.
Here is a brief insight into his dribble
towards the top post of the most popular sport in his country:
He represented Vere Technical at one of
the most decorated schools in the golden period for sports between the
1960s and 70s. In the late 1960s, he was a member of the school’s
victorious Football and Cricket (which he sometimes confess is his
first love). A few years later, following the completion of studies
from a Scholarship obtained from the Government of Jamaica in Canada,
Boxhill secured employment as an Auto Mechanic Instructor at his Alma
Mata. He was then able to achieve further success for Vere, but this
time as Manager of the school teams in both sports.
Professionally, he is a Senior Certified
Island Traffic Inspector, having served for nearly 30 years. He is
presently on secondment from the Ministry of Transport and Works to
complete his tenure (whenever that ends?) as President of the JFF.
His quest for personal development saw
him completing a Certificate Programme in Public Administration at the
University of the West Indies in 2001.
His rise to the echelon of power and
influence in the sport was laid by successful stints as President of
three different Parish Football Associations – Westmoreland,
Manchester and Clarendon (in that order). (a distinction which has
stood unequaled).
Prior to his elevation as President, he
was also a member of the Management Committee of the JFF by virtue of
serving as Chairman of the South Central Confederation, the regional
body that oversees the affairs of the four parish associations of that
region of Jamaica.
As the longest serving Manager of the
National Football Senior and Junior teams – having served in that
capacity for the most part of the decade of the 1990s, his rapport
with the current members of the team is exceptional, and has helped to
forged better links of understanding between that grouping and the
Federation. He was the Manager of the historic Jamaica team which
qualified for the World Cup Finals in 1998.
Whilst it is his Administration’s goal
to qualify for the Senior World Cup finals, his golden aim would be to
see the inauguration of a fully funded and comprehensive National
Youth Development Programme, encompassing Age 10 to 23 (Olympic) both
male and female.
As his resume
suggests, anything is achievable.
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