Cedella Marley delighted that Girlz are moving forward

Insisting that her recent run-in with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is behind her, Reggae Girlz ambassador and Bob Marley Foundation director Cedella Marley says the foundation's top priority is ensuring that the Girlz are comfortable and able to perform at their best at all times.

Marley, who was in attendance at the Reggae Girlz's second game of the Concacaf Group B Caribbean Olympic qualifiers against Barbados at the National Stadium recently, avoided speaking about the federation at length and chose instead to focus on what her foundation can do to ensure the continued progress of the national women's football team.

During the Women's World Cup the federation and Marley were at loggerheads due to accreditation issues and that led to a rapid deterioration of the relationship between the sport's local governing body and the main sponsor of the female football programme.

JFF president, Michael Ricketts, had extended the olive branch to Marley back in July in an attempt to mend those broken fences and it appeared for most part that the bridges are being rebuilt. However, since the World Cup accreditation problems it is the first time Marley has spoken on the subject and she insists there is no issue.

"I have never had any issues with anybody," she stated when asked if all was well with her and the federation. When quizzed on how satisfied she was with how the programme is progressing, she said that would depend on the feedback she get from the Girlz after conversing with them.

"How many men are in the federation? How do you think it is? It's going to be good," she reasoned. "I will be pleased when I speak with my girls and they tell us what they want, because that's all I'm really here for, to do what they ask me to do on their behalf. I try and do it to the best of my ability as that's my job," she said.

Impressive job

Meanwhile, head coach Hue Menzies was not present for the qualifiers but the Girlz won all their four matches impressively - 12-1, 7-0, 11-0 and 7-0 - and Marley noted that the coaching staff that Menzies put in his place has done an impressive job in his absence.

"He (Menzies) is not here (at the qualifiers) for a reason and I think he picked a good team of coaches. They stood in and did an amazing job and so we are just moving forward. I am very pleased, the girls were amazing and put on a good match. Every game is preparation for the next game and I think they have gained something, and, hopefully, what they have gained they bring it to the next game," she said.