Harris and Walcott retain BFA’s top positions

President Randy Harris and Vice-President Captain Al Walcott scored their third term in office when the Barbados Football Association (BFA) annual general meeting and elections took place tonight at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. 

Harris, went unopposed while the 58-year-old Walcott secured victory by a landslide of 73 votes which is a clear indication of the confidence expressed in him by the member clubs. 

From left, BFA President Randy Harris and Vice-President Captain Al Walcott have been elected for a third term. (Picture by Morissa Lindsay).

It was a four-man race for the position of Senior Vice-President this time around and Walcott destroyed the field. Walcott’s closest rival was Rasheed Belgrave, President of Wotton Football Club who accumulated 38 votes while Barney Callender accounted for 18 and Chris Graham three.  

Tonight’s resounding result by Walcott would now make it 12 years that both men have been at the helm of local football. In addition, everyone else were elected as new members of the executive. 

Speaking to the media Walcott who emerged from the Gymnasium a happy man said, “It is a good feeling. I think it is the appreciation of the clubs who had the confidence in me as vice-president and the team with president Harris in taking the football forward for the next four years.” 

The well attended democratic process with 134 eligible voters was observed by a five-man man team led by chairman and retired journalist Eric Smith. It also comprised Terry Sealy, Clifford Gooding-Edghill, Chris Donawa along with the present BFA General Secretary Edwyn Wood. 

Former national goalkeeper Omari Eastmond pulled off a major upset when he edged the incumbent Ashton Chapman by four votes 68 to 64 for the position of Junior Vice-President. 

Eastmond, a young pharmacist and businessman told Barbados TODAY, “I don’t really have a voice for young people per se on the executive. I just want persons on the executive that are for football and it just so that I happen to be young.”

Gregory Thompson is the new Senior assistant secretary with 68 votes and veteran sports administrator Adrian Donovan had 60. Meanwhile, Simeon Allsopp prevailed with 76 votes compared to his challenger Adrian Mapp with 44 for the junior assistant secretary. 

First timer Christian Renrick made a good impression as the winner with 79 votes for the position of treasurer ahead of 44 by Trevor Taylor. 

The new assistant treasurer is Lisa Bannister scoring 75 while incumbent Thomas Jordan 47 came up short this time around. 

Former national goalkeeper Omari Eastmond is the new Junior Vice-President.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb