Blake has high hopes for JAAA’s future leader
After announcing that he will not be seeking re-election to serve a third term, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), Warren Blake, says that he has high hopes for the future of athletics under new leadership.
Blake told STAR Sports that he is a firm believer in term limits and his intention was to only serve two full terms as president.
As such, he believes his successor will be able to carry the baton in a manner that will enable the country’s athletes to continue to do well on the world stage.
“We should continue to train large numbers of coaches and officials,” he said. “I also hope that our sporting infrastructure will continue to improve with the fixing of Catherine Hall and the building of at least one synthetic running surface in the centre of the island, and one to serve the eastern parishes.
SPORTS SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT
“It is also hoped that one of our tertiary institutions will develop a sports science laboratory that can be used to analyse the motion of our athletes and make them more efficient, and also reduce the incidence of injuries.”
Blake’s journey at the JAAA began during his time as a sixth-form student and a member of the track team at Kingston
College (KC).
As an aspiring doctor, he believed that one day he would use his knowledge in medicine to become a great leader; however, he had many steps to climb.
His first major position at the federation came in 2000 when he ran for office and was appointed a member of the executive committee to take charge of the anti-doping department.
“During my training as a member of the squad, I remember being taken to the old boys for medical evaluations and treatment and dental care,” he said. “When I graduated as a doctor, it became my turn to give service back to the school and to the sport that I loved. It was part of the spirit of service ingrained in me at KC.
“I was duly elected as an executive member and have continued to serve at that level since,” Blake said.
It was not until 2011 that Blake rose to the presidency of the JAAA after the death of his predecessor, Howard Aris. He was later re-elected as president in 2012.