Let's make a deal

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED return of Onandi Lowe to Jamaica's national football team, following his recent acquittal on drug smuggling charges in Britain, may have hit a major snag.

The striker, along with an adviser, met with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Crenston Boxhill and head coach Wendell Downswell, days ago to outline the conditions under which he would rejoin the programme.

Those demands are currently being discussed at the highest level of the JFF and a decision is expected by its board of directors, shortly, whether or not to accept them.

Shortly after Lowe was declared innocent by a United Kingdom court, Downswell made it clear that Lowe would be welcomed back into the fold if he was physically and mentally prepared to play.

But Lowe, at a function to officially announce his signing with local National Premier League club Arnett Gardens several weeks ago, did not make a clear commitment to the Reggae Boyz. When asked at the time if he would play for Jamaica again, Lowe said he had not discussed the matter with officials or coaches of the national team. Pressed further, he added: "You can forgive, but not forget. When your back is against the corner, then you realise and understand who your friends are." He also said: "The stone that the builder refused will become the chief cornerstone."

Back in action

While the public speculated about the meaning of Lowe's statements, the former Coventry City player in the English League returned to the field in the red and black of Arnett Gardens. But when Jamaica's 18-man squad for Wednesday's friendly international against Guatemala in Atlanta, Georgia was named, he was not on the list.

When asked about Lowe's exclusion shortly after the team's arrival in the United States on Tuesday night, Downswell said Lowe "wasn't just ready for Jamaican football." However, the coach again expressed confidence that Lowe will again represent the Jamaica.

More light was shed on the issue on Wednesday night by Boxhill. When asked during half-time of the Jamaica-Guatemala game if Lowe would play for the Reggae Boyz again, Boxhill said "The ball is now in Onandi's court.

Open door

"We have always said that the door would always be open as soon as 'Nandi had gotten over his troubles ... If he is performing, and in his mind he is ready to play for Jamaica, and the coach sees it fit, then, like I said before, the door is open" for Lowe's inclusion, the JFF president added.

But when asked about the JFF's meeting with Lowe, Boxhill confirmed that those discussions had been held and that Lowe had in fact made clear the terms under which he would return.

"Yes, we did meet. We had a meeting, Onandi and his manager ..., head coach Downswell and myself, and (Lowe) stated some conditions, which he would like to see met before he thinks about coming back into the national programme," Boxhill said. "These conditions have to be agreed to ? either approved or disapproved by the (JFF) board of directors."

Boxhill declined to reveal the specific terms outlined by Lowe, claiming he had to discuss the matter with board members first before making any additional public statements on the matter.

"I would rather the board members know about these conditions first- hand than hearing it through the media," Boxhill said.

"(The meeting with Lowe) happened last Thursday, so it was impossible to have a (board) meeting, with Peter's (Cargill) death on Saturday. It wouldn't be possible to have a meeting so early. But what we have been doing is calling around to board members and sensitising them, letting them know what the conditions are. As soon as we have agreed as a board whether we will approve or disapprove those conditions, it will be made public."

Lowe's manager, Michael Whyte, confirmed yesterday that a meeting did take place but he also declined to give any details.
"There was a meeting at the JFF office last week among Boxhill, Downswell, Lowe and myself. Boxhill told us he would meet with his executive members to discuss what Mr. Lowe put to him and he'll get back to us," Whyte said.

"Boxhill is returning tomorrow (Friday) from Atlanta and he will tell us the time and date for a follow-up meeting."

Whyte, who is also the manager at Arnett Gardens, said Lowe was available for national action.

"He's ready to play, to go the Gold Cup. We're just waiting on Mr. Boxhill to get back to us."

Whyte added that Lowe instructed him not to say anything about the discussions in the meeting until everything was finalised.

When asked if the JFF would be able to meet the conditions set out by Lowe, Boxhill again declined to comment.

"I have my own view," he said, "but it is a board decision and I'd rather wait until the board decides."

When pressed if Lowe and the JFF could realistically come to an agreement in time for his participation in July's Gold Cup in the United States, Boxhill would only say: "All things are possible."

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.