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Respect is the most important thing to me – ‘Busy’ Campbell - Honourees Samuels, Edwards grateful for recognition at ‘Bring back the Love’ football
May 29, 2025
When Clive 'Busy' Campbell drafted his list of honourees for the annual 'Bring back the Love' football extravaganza, respect for their body of work is one of the foremost reasons behind the decision.
So even though the date of choice - Labour Day - was not the most convenient this year, Campbell never made that a hindrance. The show must go on.
Campbell says there was a late adjustment to the playing date this year, and so the event was shifted from its traditional Labour Day staging to Sunday, at Harbour View Mini Stadium.
As it turned out, the attendance was well below the usual levels and Campbell says the shift from Labour day may have resulted in the low turnout.
However, he insists that the most important thing was recognising the honourees.
"We were focusing on Labour Day. But then the Premier League (final) was being played on Labour Day, so we had to switch to the Sunday," Campbell explained, noting Friday's night's Jamaica Premier League Super Final, which Cavalier Soccer Club won 6-5 on penalties over Mojnt Pleasant Football Academy at the National Stadium. The teams failed to score in regulation and extra time.
"Respect is the most important thing to me and I just wanted to give the people what they deserve," Campbell stated about the 'Bring back the Love' honourees.
"They should be recognised, so it doesn't matter if it's 10 or 20 people, it's all about giving the people the respect they should get," he stated.
Guests of Honour for 2025 were attorney-at-law Bert Samuels, women's football coach Charles Edwards, and former national women's football captain Alecia 'One Left' James, who represented the dominant Barbican FC women's team.
James was "unavoidably" absent to receive her award, but Samuels and Edwards expressed elation at their recognition.
Samuels, one of the most prominent and successful figures in Jamaica's legal fraternity, who resigned from the courtroom in December after a distinguished 45-year career, said being recognised for his work by persons outside of the legal field is gratifying.
"I feel so honoured that people out of the field have been watching what I am doing in my field, which is the courtroom," he noted.
However, he pointed out that, despite leaving the courtroom, he continues in his pursuit for justice, on an even wider scale.
JUSTICE FOR BLACK PEOPLE
"Outside the courtroom, as you know, I am the deputy chair for the Reparation Council of Jamaica. So I am not just into law, I am into justice for African Jamaicans, for black people, for them to compensate (us) for our enslavement," he added.
The 'Bring back the Love' event - a call for peace - includes a football match between the Entertainers and Celebrities team versus Masters and Media. The Entertainers and Celebrities defeated Masters and Media 6-1 in a fun-filled and entertaining match.
Meanwhile, Edwards, who led Barbican FC's women to a record 12 Jamaica Women's Premier League (JWPL) titles, with nine consecutive wins from 2008-2016, and who was head coach of the senior Reggae Girlz from 2007-2008, said it feels special to be recognised.
"Over the years, you have worked hard, you put everything into it, you get great results. But nothing ever has been done like this. So when you realise someone's recognising what you are doing, it tickles you deep down. It feels good and I really appreciate it," he stated.
Edwards called on lovers of the sport to come out and support the 'Bring back the Love' event, as they used to in former years.
"I look forward to the 'Bring back the Love' football being built up back, with a lot more people turning out to support it, because it is doing a fantastic job for the Jamaican athletes, coaches and people who are recognised within Clive 'Busy' Campbell's books."
