Blake to retain JAAA presidency without challenge

Dr Warren Blake will be returned unopposed as president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) at next Tuesday's Annual General Meeting set for the Medallion Hall Hotel.

Blake, who ascended to the post following the death of then President Howard Aris in November 2011, was earlier this year expected to face a challenge, but will now be ushered into another four-year term along with his executive, following the closing of nominations on Saturday.

The incumbent has no company for the presidential post with JAAA general secretary Garth Gayle confirming this in a recent chat with The Gleaner.

"At closing time of nomination on Saturday, November 19 only one group had been nominated where the election will only be contested by the 17 members from the group and the only thing left to be done is for these 17 members to be ratified by the members of the committee," said Gayle, who has held his position in the association since 2000.

Earlier in the year there were news swirling in the public that Blake would have been strongly challenged with a member of his own executive, Dave Myrie, the first vice-president heavily tipped to go against Blake.

However, in an interview several weeks ago, Myrie hinted that he was not contesting the election.

Giving his opinion on the reasons behind the lack of challenge, Gayle backed Blake's stewardship of the organisation over the past five years.

"I cannot speak why others have changed their mind, and I can only talk for mypresident. I think people have seen where he has done a great job and realised that it will be of no use in challenging him," Gayle said.

BEST PERFORMANCES

"Under Blake's presidency Jamaica has had its best performances on the world stage in track and field as at the Beijing Olympics in 2012 the country was second overall of 212 Federations while at the recent Rio Olympic Games we stood tall. We have also had outstanding results at the World Youth and World Junior Champion-ships, and we continue to dominate at the Carifta Games and those are indications that our president is doing an excellent job," Gayle reasoned.

There could, however, be some changes on the new executive body with Gayle, without revealing the identities of the non-returning members confirmed the developments.

"All I can say at this moment is that a press release will soon be out and the public will know who the members are who will make up the new executive," said Gayle.