Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung (right) speaks as JFF President Micheal Ricketts looks on during a press conference at the JFF offices on April 18, 2024. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)
While there has been no official confirmation of Dennis Chung’s departure as the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) general secretary, President Michael Ricketts says he’s hoping to get clarity on the situation.
The Jamaica Observer has learnt that Chung is set to resign from his post at the end of the month, following a near three-year tenure.
The noted financial executive and chartered accountant initially joined the JFF as chairman of the Finance Committee in 2020, but was appointed general secretary in November 2022 after the controversial removal of Dalton Wint.
The Observer tried unsuccessfully to contact Chung up to press time on Wednesday. However, he is said to be on a brief leave and is expected to return to work this morning.
Ricketts said that he had heard news of Chung’s pending departure prior to Wednesday but hadn’t received word directly from the general secretary.
“I’ve heard rumours but I have to treat it as rumours right now because he hasn’t tendered a resignation. He hasn’t written to me to say that he’s going… I can’t formally comment until I get a formal document from him,” Ricketts told the Observer.
The JFF boss says he’s scheduled to have a discussion with Chung on Thursday prior to their scheduled departure for the FIFA Congress in Paraguay next week.
“We go to Paraguay on Tuesday and we come back the following Sunday so we’ll have time to discuss any issues there might be. I’m just being cautious, I don’t want to comment too much,” said Ricketts.
Ricketts, though, says he’s unlikely to stand in Chung’s way if he tenders his resignation.
“We’ve had an excellent working relationship so I know we will have words and whatever he decides to do, I’m sure the respect and relationship that we established, I don’t think we will breach,” he said.
“We’re all adults and he’s probably thinking, ‘what I did come here to achieve, I have so maybe I should move onto something else’ .”
Chung has been credited with significant improvements in the JFF’s governance, which has been highlighted by FIFA’s decision to lift a five-year financial restriction in March.
Football’s local governing body has also seen an increase in surplus over the last two years including over $105 million in 2024 as well as cutting the $230 million deficit reported in 2023 by more than 65 per cent at the end of last year.
During Chung’s tenure there have been major achievements on the field, including Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz historic qualification to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as well as the Reggae Boyz’s qualification to the 2024 Copa America.
The Observer was told that JFF general manager Roy Simpson could act as interim general secretary in Chung’s .
But Ricketts says he will need divine intervention in finding an adequate replacement for Chung who he’s credited for the federation’s recent successes.
“I seem to be blessed when it comes on to selecting the right people, and I believe in prayer,” he said.
“When you think of getting Chung as gen sec, who would have done such an excellent job, when you think of getting Rudolph Speid as the technical committee who has also done an excellent job. I remember when I appointed Donaldson for the women’s coach, he took us to the World Cup, so it’s work in progress and I’m pretty certain that whatever the decisions are, I will be guided by a supreme being. I believe in that and I’ve had success in that regard,” Ricketts added.
Chung’s departure would come just weeks before the resumption of the Reggae Boyz 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Reggae Girlz are set to begin their 2027 World Cup qualifyng in October.
RICKETTS… he hasn’t written to me to say that he’s going
