JAAA Executives Remain Optimistic in the Face of Major Challenges
Dr. Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), stepped down in late 2020 paving the way for a new executive board to move national athletics forward. Nominations and elections for a new executive board took place in December 2020. Consequently, the new year ushered in an invigorated JAAA leadership team.
Members
Former General Secretary, Garth Gayle, now heads the Association. Gayle won a landslide victory over Donald Quarrie, former Olympian and former Vice President of the JAAA. The new executive board is completed by, Ian Forbes (First Vice President), Lincoln Eatmon (Second Vice President), Michael Frater (Third Vice President), Vilma Charltan (Fourth Vice President), Ludlow Watt (Treasurer), Marie Tavares (Honorary Secretary) and Brian Smith (Assistant Secretary). The committee members are Heleen Francis, Ewan Scott, Judith Ewart, Fedrick Dacres, Carl Bruce, Gregory Hamilton, Juliet Parkes-Livermore and Keith Wellington.
Global and Domestic Challenges
The JAAA and national athletics are presumably in good hands with Gayle’s experience, knowledge and expertise. However, the character and effectiveness of the new executive board will be severely tested given the devastating and continuing impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on health and wellness, sports, businesses, travel and social gatherings.
Regional, national and international competitions have been considerably scaled down or completely abandoned. This has altogether affected earnings, training regimens and the emotional and psychological state of the athletes. The revamped competition schedule has most significantly impacted new and emerging athletes who are nonetheless committed to becoming elite athletes and world beaters.
On the domestic front, many young and promising athletes are financially challenged and unable to effectively take on added expenses for nutrition, training and general preparations. The JAAA, which is not professionally funded, has been assisting many of these athletes with these expenses to help keep them mentally focused and in training.
Sponsorship and Funding
The JAAA’s only source of income is from international and local sponsorships and government assistance through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF). Based on this reality, the JAAA struggles to keep afloat. It seems unfair that the athletes benefit from the JAAA when they are in dire need; yet the JAAA earns nothing in return while eventually the athletes and their coaches, agents and management team benefit financially.
However, the business of sports administration is one of the association’s primary duties. Therefore, the JAAA remains focused on the welfare of all athletes, from Youth to Senior classes, and on the effective administrative of national athletics in Jamaica. Thankfully, the JAAA is not financially indebted to any financial institutions nor any third party. It continues to hobble along and discharge its responsibilities as best as it can.
Olympics
As the 2021 Tokyo Olympics draws near, the JAAA will continue to monitor the global environment and keep the athletes and nation informed about the latest developments in national athletics. The JAAA will continue to provide crucial support to athletes where necessary and practical. And the executive board will endeavor to provide the requisite level of leadership to allow the JAAA to realize its mandates and objectives.
As part of this initiative, one of the JAAA's biggest challenge is to restart sporting competitions across the island, which could cost approximately $20 million. In support of the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the JAAA, three people have been employed to improve the association's internal affairs and communications.
President Gayle seems upbeat and ready for the challenges that come with the job. He has expressed great confidence in his supporting cast and is optimistic that they will guide the JAAA and national athletics in the right direction.
Garth Gayle photo courtesy of the Jamaica Olympic Committee (JOA) website
Henley Taylor - Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Danielle DiPalma