The Sporting EDGE
Blake also laid claims to having more qualified coaches than most members of NACAC but gave no quantitative evidence to back up his claims, yet at the most recent Level One course held at GC Foster a few months ago, we saw a lot of ‘senior’ coaches getting their first formal certification.
Saturday’s AGM was the only event organised by the JAAA since the CARIFTA Trials in early March, but Blake once again took credit for seven meets that were organised and funded by MVP, simply because as the national federation they had to work out protocols that had to be accepted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Never mind that most of the protocols were already set out by World Athletes and all they had to do was adapt them to local conditions.
But for the sake of the continued development of the sport we have to wish the new executive all the best as with no fewer than half-dozen major global championships due over the next two or three years, they will have their hands full.
Gayle said after his election that he was open to working with Quarrie and would be willing to listen to suggestions, and I hope he sticks to his word as for far too long the JAAA has been seen as an old boys’ club and only a privileged few were allowed.
During the run-up to the elections, Dr Blake frequently quoted the late JAAA boss, Howard Aris, who had told a candidate who had not necessarily had the blessing of the ‘club members’ and subsequently lost his bid to be president, that he had wasted his time by trying to address the wider track and field community and should focus on those who were