Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, said on Monday (June 6) says she will be asking the administration of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to give her a report explaining the debacle that almost left its senior men’s football team stranded in Suriname after their Concacaf Nations League match over the weekend.

Grange comments came hours before reports surfaced that JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint had resigned after an emergency board meeting last night (June 6).

Wint had been put under pressure to step down as tensions between himself and the Reggae Boyz boiled over amid the mismanagement of travel arrangements which led to the Government getting involved and bringing a team together to organise the team’s return home.

In a statement earlier yesterday, Grange said that her intervention with the support of a dedicated team facilitated the return of the JFF delegation from Surname after they experienced difficulties with their travel arrangements.

The delegation returned to Jamaica approximately 7:15 Monday morning.

Grange said: “On Saturday June 4, 2022, I was advised of challenges being experienced by the Reggae Boyz delegation in Suriname. I was made to understand that travel arrangements for their return to Jamaica, after the match against Suriname on Saturday, had been cancelled and my assistance was being sought.

“I was told that because the players had to return in time for another match, normal flight schedules would not allow for their return.”

LEON BAILEY INSTRUMENTAL IN IDENTIFYING CHARTER COMPANY

Grange added: “On my instructions, a number of steps were taken by my permanent secretary and the general manager of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) to assist in addressing the problem.

“A company was identified from which we could charter a flight in the short time frame. Reggae Boy Leon Bailey was instrumental in identifying the charter company.

“We were advised by the company identified that the charter flight would cost US$105,000 which had to be paid immediately in order for the aircraft which was in Mexico to be released to pick up the team in Suriname. Unfortunately, with this taking place over the weekend, the circumstances prevented the SDF from accessing the required banking services.

“JFF President Michael Ricketts contacted Mr Christopher Williams, CEO of PROVEN and chairman of the Premier Football Jamaica League (PFJL), to assist with the identification of the required funds, and the Government of Jamaica through the SDF committed to ensuring that the funds advanced would be repaid.”

Based on the commitment of the Government, Williams put the necessary mechanisms in place to advance the payment for the charter flight, with the firm understanding that he would be reimbursed in the shortest possible time.

Grange said all the parties involved were aware of the urgent need to act, bearing in mind the risk of the Jamaican delegation being stranded in Suriname, and the players not being able to honour the return leg fixture scheduled for today (June 7).

“I also had to speak directly with the Reggae Boyz, who were upset with the JFF Administration which they blamed for the crisis, at which point they agreed to play the game in Suriname on schedule,” she said.

“The Under Secretary for the Diaspora, Protocol and Consular Affairs Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) played a critical role in securing the landing and fly over permits. The team from the ministries were in negotiations from Saturday afternoon until early Monday morning to ensure that the permits were received.

“I will be writing to the JFF requesting a detailed report on the matter and my team and I will continue to work closely with the JFF and the Reggae Boyz as we are also aware of other matters of concern related to the management of what is possibly the most popular sport in Jamaica.”

Wint resignation came, according to reports, after the Reggae Boyz refused to play today’s match against Suriname if he remained in his post.

READ: Why Christopher Williams should  head the Jamaica Football Federation