Former national goalkeeper making case for BFA presidency

The lone contender against Randy Harris in the Barbados Football Association (BFA) presidency race is gearing up for an energetic campaign to unseat the incumbent and reshape the sport’s leadership on the island.

Since declaring his candidacy for the April 7 election, former national goalkeeper Omari Eastmond has been actively seeking support from affiliated clubs and prominent figures in the sport.

“I’ve received tremendous backing, although not all of it is public. Many people have reached out to me,” he told Barbados TODAY.

Eastmond plans to launch a series of events using various communication platforms to connect with the football community and key stakeholders: “It’s crucial to convey my message because we’re in dire need of change.”

“I can’t identify with any plans for the development of football in Barbados. We’re not in a good place at the moment. There was a time when Barbados’ rivals were Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba; now even Monsterrat beating us. This can’t be the direction anyone would want to see football in Barbados,” he added.

Eastmond believes that his candidacy represents a call for transformative leadership within the BFA, centred on strategic planning, financial accountability, and grassroots development, with the ultimate aim of revitalising Barbadian football on both national and international stages.

He is currently the only challenger to Harris, who first assumed office in September 2012 and was re-elected in 2016, ran uncontested in the 2020 elections, securing his third term as president.

Eastmond intends to share his vision with football stakeholders leading up to the election, emphasising his commitment to fostering improved communication between clubs and ensuring transparency in the allocation of FIFA funds.

Among other things, he is also advocating for the implementation of a framework to reward players for their dedication, highlighting the challenges faced by amateur athletes balancing training commitments with full-time employment.

The recent performance of the Barbados national team on the international stage is expected to feature prominently in the election discourse. The Tridents’ relegation to League C of the Concacaf Nations League has elicited criticism, with Eastmond describing it as “embarrassing.”

However, he refrained from attributing blame to the players, noting the increase in FIFA funding to the association.

Drawing comparisons with successful football programmes in neighbouring Caribbean nations, the BFA presidential hopeful stressed the importance of prudent financial management and strategic planning. He identified a lack of vision and structured development programmes, particularly at the grassroots level, as deficiencies within the association.

“We just need to manage our money properly, and we’re not seeking advice from persons who are smart enough to tell the BFA how the money is best spent,” Eastmond said.

Reflecting on his own experiences as a player, he underscored the disparity between Barbados’ football progress and the advancements seen elsewhere in the region.

rawletoney@barbadostoday.bb