ATHLETES FIRST
Anderson outlines key focus for candidates as JOA presidency is decided today
JAMAICA OLYMPIC Ice Hockey Federation President Don Anderson says he hopes that the nation’s athletes will be the main focus of the next president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), regardless of the result of today’s election.
The country’s sporting associations will meet today at 11 a.m. at their “extraordinary” general meeting to vote for the JOA executive for the next four years. Incumbent President Christopher Samuda is seeking a second consecutive term and will be challenged by former JOA director and current Jamaica Triathlon Association Vice President Alan Beckford. Seven other board members are also up for re-election two weeks before the Tokyo Olympics.
The build-up towards the elections has come with concerns about the accelerated timeline of the election given that the International Olympic Committee gave dispensation for National Olympic Committees to stage their elections after the Tokyo Olympics because of the pandemic as well as concerns regarding the viewing of the financial accounts.
While declining to speak on the timeline that the elections were called, Anderson says that ultimately the most important thing that will be of concern is which candidate will have the best interest of the athletes at heart.
“What you want is an organisation that is going to be reflective of the interest of the athletes. The team that leads the JOA into the next quadrennium must be one that is focused on the athletes and recognise that the athletes make us who we are,” Anderson, a former first vice president of the JOA, told The Gleaner.
Jamaica Golf Association President Peter Chin says that among their considerations will be the past performance of the Samudaled administration as well as the vision that Beckford has for the federation under his leadership if elected. Chin says that regardless of the outcome, the JOA will be in good hands.
AIDING IN SPORTS GENERALLY
“What we are really looking at is how has this administration helped sports generally in Jamaica and I guess that’s how you really measure any administration that’s looking for re-election. It’s how they have done so far and what the other candidate is bringing to the table in terms of his plans and if he has had a track record of performance also,” Chin said.
“I have met with the candidate (Beckford) and I know what his vision is. I know his emphasis is a lot on transparency and so forth. I think he is a good candidate but I believe whoever wins Jamaica’s sport won’t be at a loss.”
Samuda was elected in 2017 to replace former president and long-time sports administrator Mike Fennell.