Council election process invaluable for JAAA boss
Published:Sunday | August 20, 2023 | 12:12 AM
BUDAPEST, Hungary:
WHILE DISAPPOINTED that his bid for a seat on the World Athletics Council was unsuccessful, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president, Garth Gayle, said he would be better prepared for another similar process and to do things differently if another opportunity presents itself.
Gayle was not elected to the council following Thursday’s World Athletics Congress, which saw 10 of the 13 board members filled with women, including former Commonwealth Games 200-metre champion, Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands, and Donna Raynor of Bermuda, who make up the Caribbean representatives.
According to Gayle, while there was support from the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), the experience, notwithstanding the defeat, was eye-opening.
“I would want to say ‘yes’ (I got the support from NACAC) but experience teaches and it gives me insight into the next occasion. If I may offer myself once again at that level, there are certain things now I will know to do and to do early,” Gayle said.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t make it, but I will continue to work as vice president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) and as president of the best association in the world, the JAAA, despite its challenges.”
Gayle hopes that he will be able to still lead change in other capacities, believing that he has a role to play in serving the needs of athletes.
“We have to ensure that we have more things in place to serve our athletes and the other constituents of the sport,” Gayle said.
“I believe I can do a lot more in sports and sports management I am looking into that sphere in the very near future.”
Although not successful, Gayle was pleased that the council will be diverse in an association that will continue to be led by Lord Sebastian Coe, who returns as World Athletics president for a third term.
“The first eight votes based on numbers were women, and I am pleased about that because it says that the sport is diversifying. We have hardworking women worldwide, so they must be recognised and given their place,” Gayle said.