Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

KSAFA president Stewart Stephenson - Ian Allen Staff/Photographer

Former Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) president Stewart Stephenson believes a solid framework has been laid for the organisation's continued success, but charges the new association to be vigilant as many challenges lay ahead.

"I have no regrets, it is a full-time job that requires a lot of sacrifice but I was happy to have served in that capacity," Stephenson told The Gleaner.

"A lot of clubs had asked that we reconsider, but I look at it as a project, one that has been successfully completed, so now it is time to move on. It is the end of an era," he added.

Stephenson announced that he would not seek re-election to the post in May of this year, paving the way for Rudolph Speid, former treasurer of the body to ascend to the leadership post unopposed last week. A two-horse race had been expected between Speid and former FIFA referee Peter Prendergast, but the latter pulled out of contention a little over a month ago.

According to the KSAFA president's report, since taking office in 2004, 20 new corporate sponsors have come on-board with the body, providing some $36-million worth of corporate funding over the four-year period. The amount represented a significant increase from the 2001-2002 period and 2003-2004, which saw a total of $6.25 million generated.

Over the period, the revenue generated by the organisation totalled some $45 million with the Jackie Bell competition generating profits totalling $1.57 million over the four-year period.

After reducing operational costs by a significant margin, which saw the body end the four-year period with a surplus of $160,000, in addition to providing several club incentives and record financial support aimed at developing young talent, Stephenson is satisfied with the progress that was made.

No regrets

"It was the second time that we were coming in to rebuild from basically nothing and a lot has been done, I have no regrets," he said.

Contrary to beliefs held by many of his detractors, the former president was also satisfied that enough had been done to secure a smooth transition for the incoming administration.

"There has been a preparation for transition, the treasurer is now the president, the assistant treasurer Brian Rose is now treasurer. All of these people would have seen us operate and learned under us," he said.