Palmer defends cycling changes
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Cycling Federation (JCF) Dr Wayne Palmer says moving the term limit of the organisation from two to four years will give future administrations enough time to effectively implement and execute their strategies and programmes.
Palmer pointed out that, over the last six years, the organisation has seen three presidents and he believes this is one of the reasons the sport has not seen any substantial growth under successive administrations.
As a result, his administration recommended a change to this law, among other contents of the constitution, which was approved by members of the organisation at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Sunday.
“We have increased the tenure to four years, up from two years for president and one for vice-presidents. This will give us the opportunity to build cycling in a more meaningful and organised way,” Palmer said.
“One of the problems is that we change the executive of the federation so frequently that consecutive executives have not been able to achieve much. We have had three presidents in the last seven years and, when we look at that, it does not augur well for the sport’s development. But with some consistency, we can improve cycling over the long haul,” he added.
The JCF boss said the amendment process included representatives from all legitimate JCF members and that it was guided by the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president, Christopher Samuda.
The changes, which also included adding an athlete representative to the board, brings the federation on par with world and Olympic requirements, he further stated.
“We made changes to the constitution to modernise it and get it in line with what most sporting bodies worldwide are doing, as well as what the UCI (International Cycling Union), our government body, recommends, as well as the JOA. We have added to the executive an athlete representative, which is consistent with international standards.
Meanwhile, the federation is hoping to get the Government’s approval for local events and competitions to resume.
Palmer said they have requested an audience with Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, in the hope that they can convince her ministry that cycling has a special case.
“We have been trying to get updates. We have submitted our protocols and we have been asked to make amendments. We have amended it and resubmitted and we have been asked to make further amendments. We have sought audience with the minister to explain how unique cycling is, but we haven’t had that audience as yet,” he said.