Third time’s the charm?

THE LONG-AWAITED election of officers of the Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) is set to take place on May 25 at the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), where the affiliates will make a third attempt at casting ballots to install an administration.

According to Sunday Gleaner sources, everything is in place for the voting Annual General Meeting (AGM) starting at 1 p.m., with the JTTA’s constitution stipulating that the elections must take place this time, regardless of the circumstances that could prevent it from happening.

The voting AGM was constitutionally due in February last year but had to be postponed because the Andrew Lue-led administration failed to provide the required audited financial report and other documentation.

Thirteen of the 19 affiliates, which formed a quorum, at a convened meeting, have since voted to allow the election to proceed with only an unaudited financial report, but the second attempt to elect officers last Sunday was also abandoned with members of the table tennis fraternity attending the funeral of journalist Hubert Lawrence, who played the sport competitively.

JTTA’s constitution states: “...In the event of the Annual General Meeting not being held because of Acts of God or for reasons agreed by the managing committee, the Annual General Meeting shall then be convened within twenty-one days.

“... The quorum at Annual General Meetings shall be thirty-three and one-third per cent of the total membership. Should such a quorum be lacking, no business other than the formal adjournment of the proceedings for two weeks shall be taken. The meeting should then be reconvened within fourteen days. Should a quorum be still lacking on resumption, the business, notice of which has been given, shall be transacted by those present.”

Efforts yesterday to reach the president of the JTTA, Andrew Lue, proved futile but treasurer, Collette Palmer, although unwilling to disclose details, emphasised that last Saturday’s second cancellation was necessary because of Lawrence’s status.

“The delegates voted on not having the election on that day because of Hubert Lawrence’s funeral and we were showing our respects to him because he is one of the persons who brought table tennis back into a positive light and being a member of the fraternity, that’s what it’s about,” Palmer said.

On May 25, Palmer will be among the candidates vying for the association’s presidency. She will be going against Ingrid Graham, Samuel Lamont and Michael Hyatt, as current president Lue has stepped away from administrative work.

The other positions that will be contested will be first-vice president, second-vice president, general secretary, assistant general secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer and council members.