KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – New Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association president, Garth Gayle said his new executive will have to work with the Andrew Holness government to navigate a successful return of the sport in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in the island.
Gayle, the secretary of the JAAA for the past 20 years, was elected to the position on Saturday, when he brushed aside 1976 Olympic 200 metres gold medal winner, Don Quarrie in a vote of members, 236-28.
Track & field has been devastated in the island, which is currently battling an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.
Health authorities in Jamaica have reported more than 10,500 positives cases, 250 deaths and close to 6,000 recoveries.
“We have got to get our sport back on track, so we must ensure that it is done in a safe and secure manner,” Gayle said following the poll.
“We will be working along with the government, the Minis-try of Sport and the Ministry of Health, so, in very short order, you will be hearing from us.”
Most of the positions on the JAAA executive were elected unopposed from a slate that supported Gayle.
Only two positions were contested, and Maria Tavares, a member of Gayle’s team, was elected the first female to hold the position of secretary, and Leroy Cooke, another Gayle supporter, held onto his position of director of records.
Gayle, whose team was self-title “Team Transformation”, said he was happy with the outcome and now the real work begins.
“We ran for office under three simple pillars,” he said. “We would be a political team; we would not be involved in any mudslinging or any type of comments that would return to hurt the sport and the association that we all love, and we would be respectful to each and every individual who would put themselves forward to challenge.
“We will be coming back to you members because, while you gave us your support and we thank you, we also know that the sport of track and field has strong critics. We want you to keep us on the balls of our feet, we need to hear from you, but I ask that when you critique us, you give us some solutions so that we can work together for the better of our sport.”
