Mills calls for greater professionalism in local sports
Published:Saturday | April 27, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Legendary track and field coach Glen Mills says local sports associations must make a greater effort to improve their professionalism in order to meet administrative demands and make themselves into first-class sporting organisations.
However, he believes that because most, if not all, like the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), are autonomous and not accountable to any authority, it has made them complacent in their efforts to become more professional and efficient organisations.
“We don’t have a vibrant membership within most sports (associations locally),” he pointed out.
“Most members either don’t read or have never seen the constitution. They are not engaged with the day-to-day operations. Few might attend the annual general meetings but most attend when there is voting.
“So that does not lend itself to the type of professional running of an association, like what a business demands, where you are answerable to shareholders in a meaningful way. They just go about their business and there is no active participation.
“So the associations are out there running basically on their own independence,” he pointed out.
He said that this is largely a result of most sporting associations being protected by their mother organisation, from court or government involvement.
However, he believes associations like the JAAA should be accountable to some authority to encourage greater transparency, efficiency and professionalism, which would in turn help to improve all aspects of these organisations.
“The JAAA is no exception. They are autonomous. They are not answerable to anybody or authority in the country.
“If you take the association to court, you risk being barred by the international body, and with that type of immunity you can make any decision because you are not answerable to anyone,” he continued.
However, those who have been elected to govern the affairs of these organisations should take greater responsibility in doing what is best for their sport, he said
“A great degree of professionalism is required in the handling of the affairs of the associations which everyone should be working for the betterment of.
“So those who are in the driver’s seat, those running the sport, must ensure that whatever they do serves the best interests of the sport,” Mills said.