Grant promotes inclusivity in JTTA leadership bid
Published:Sunday | July 2, 2023 | 1:51 AMJob Nelson - Sports Coordinator
JAMAICA TABLE Tennis Association presidential hopeful Stephen Grant is promising to lead with transparency, accountability and integrity while having an inclusive approach to the development of the sport when he is elected.
According to Grant, his track record in the sport makes him a bona fide candidate to be elevated to the leadership role, having successfully developed the Kingston and St Andrew Table Tennis Association (KSATTA) as president.
He is confident his abilities have been noticed by affiliates, who will decide the person to take charge of the association for the next two-year term in a ballot when elections are conducted during the annual general meeting, which has already been postponed three times.
Grant, popularly known by the moniker ‘Spoon’, contends that his work also lifts him above the other three candidates vying for the JTTA’s top position.
President Andrew Lue, Samuel Lamont and Ingrid Graham are also in the hunt for the presidency.
“I know I am qualified and certified for the job. I have been in it, not as long as most people, but I made it my point of duty to try to make a difference and I am seeing where we are lacking in a lot of departments, and I feel I am capable of bringing everybody together, although I know it is a difficult task.
“With the plans that I have in mind and I have shown the world – as a director of the KSATTA, to the level that we have reached as a parish association, it has proven that, in the realm of things, what I can do – I will develop the sport in Jamaica,” Grant said.
The KSATTA president claims that, under his leadership, the JTTA will promote inclusivity, transparent communication, constructive feedback and opinions that differ, which will all facilitate growth and development.
FOCUS ON YOUTH
He stated that, after being elevated, he would prioritise a budget geared towards the development of the sport, with a focus on youth and islandwide participation.
According to Grant, an emphasis will also be placed on the grassroots by placing tables in communities; restarting club leagues; engaging preparatory, primary and collegiate institutions; and fostering competitions in masters and church leagues.
He stated that his goals include implementing a rating system; fair and accountable guidelines for national selections; consistent training for national players; establishing funding through sponsorship, fundraising and tournaments; having international tournaments, training of coaches, umpires and administrators; and providing scholarships for talented players.
He noted that his elevation to leadership would bring effective use of the JTTA’s offices, increase tables/equipment through overseas branding partners, the availability of tables and equipment to affiliates for tournaments, a fair and transparent distribution of equipment to schools and centres, and a quarterly financial report.
Grant stated that he has the backing of various stakeholders, including former presidents, and is offering his candidacy at the urging of people within the sport who want Jamaica to become competitive at the regional level again. He promised that this would become a reality under his leadership, with Jamaica having an identifiable brand of table tennis.
“I was encouraged to do this a long time ago and I refused. I always refused, and people come to me trying to get me to do it. So I offered myself because I saw things not being done the way that they ought to be.
“I said many years ago, if we can develop our brand of table tennis in this country, we will step forward. We are athletic, we are fast and we are strong, so we will look to use these cultures that define us in the sporting realm,” Grant said.