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…pleads with Minister Grange to intervene in impasse with JOA

Garth Gayle, who has returned unopposed as president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), wants the government to intervene and solve the growing divide between his organisation and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).

Gayle, who will be entering his second term, was given a clean bill of health as no challengers came forward, which can be seen as an indication that his organisation is fulfilling its mandate.

Following the Annual General Meeting on Saturday at Jamaica College, Gayle made a request for greater collaboration between the JAAA and the JOA, noting that the time has come to unite.

The JAAA and the JOA are two distinct organisations with different roles, responsibilities, and objectives.

The JAAA is the national governing body for athletics (track and field) in the country, while the JOA is the national Olympic organisation responsible for promoting the Olympic Movement in Jamaica.

“The Jamaica in the names of both associations reminds us that we serve under one flag with the development and opportunities for our athletes and sportspersons, our shared commitment,” Gayle pointed out.

“We need to listen to each other and put all our efforts in the product that we are, that is, a cooperative, united body, working for the good of all stakeholders, sponsors, administrators, technical operators, coaches, medicals, clubs, but more so, our athletes, who are the centre of our existence,” he added.

The recent conflict between the Gayle-led JAAA and the Chris Samuda-led JOA revolves around several issues.

One of the main and latest points of contention is the allocation of officials for the 2024 Olympics. The JAAA claims that the JOA restricted the number of officials they could bring to the Paris Olympics, while the JOA asserts that this decision was made by the Paris Organising Committee based on a team size formula.

Another issue is the setting up of a pre-Olympic training camp in Stuttgart, Germany. The JAAA alleges that the JOA did not provide sufficient support for this initiative, while the JOA claims that they requested a detailed budget from the JAAA but did not receive one.

Additionally, there are concerns about the JOA’s level of transparency and communication with the JAAA. The JAAA feels that the JOA has not been forthcoming with information, leading to misunderstandings and mistrust.

The conflict has been further complicated by personal dynamics, with some individuals serving in both organisations and potentially creating conflicts of interest.

The JOA has responded to the JAAA’s allegations, emphasising their commitment to supporting Jamaican athletes and providing financial assistance to the JAAA. However, the issue remains unresolved, and it is unclear how it will be addressed moving forward, hence the call for the intervention of the Sports Minister.

Gayle, president, along with Ian Forbes (1st vice president), Lincoln Eatman (2nd vice president), Michael Frater (3rd vice president), and Jullette Parkes (4th vice president), all returned en bloc.

In 2020, Dr. Warren Blake decided not to seek re-election, and Gayle defeated sprinting legend Donald Quarrie 236 to 28 for his first term, and he is eagerly looking towards his second mandate.

He addressed concerns raised by athletes for more inclusiveness and the need for more direct involvement in the oversight of the JAAA.

“We share the concern of those who ask for more participation by our athletes in the JAAA, and we will be addressing this by creating sub-committees. We note, however, that there has been continued representation of athletes on our executive,” he noted.

Gayle noted a number of key achievements in local and international competitions where they hosted several key events, including the JAAA/Puma Development Meet, Jamaica National Junior & Senior Championships, Jamaica Athletics International Meet, and the Jamaica Olympic French Forays.

“These events provided critical platforms for Jamaican athletes to showcase their skills and prepare for international competitions,” he said.

Internationally, Jamaican athletes participated in six major events, including the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, the Carifta Games in Grenada, and the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris.

While acknowledging challenges such as the unfortunate exclusion of hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis from the Olympic team, Gayle expressed confidence in Jamaica’s future prospects, celebrating the performance and dedication of the athletes and coaches.

He also mentioned the renewal of Puma’s sponsorship, a partnership that he believes has been instrumental in supporting Jamaican athletics, and expressed gratitude for Puma’s unwavering support and the company’s significant contribution to various grassroots initiatives, high school sponsorships, and national events like the Gibson Relays and the Boys & Girls Championships.