JTTA president still confident despite another AGM postponement
Published:Sunday | April 23, 2023 | 1:59 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
FOR THE second time this year, the Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA) has rescheduled its annual general meeting (AGM) to facilitate the late registration of affiliates.
However, president of the JTTA, Andrew Lue, who is facing his first challenge as president after taking the post in 2021, is confident the AGM will go ahead on June 17, the date agreed on at a special general meeting (SGM) last weekend.
“This is the second time we are extending the cut-off date (for fees payment), so more people can get involved,” Lue told The Sunday Gleaner.
“We had a cut off date for the affiliates to pay their fees constitutionally at the end of January. We first extended it to February 15 and now we have extended it to the 29th of April.
“Things will go ahead on that date, I am pretty sure because we want to get it out of the way as the longer it carries on, the more frustrating it gets.”
At the end of January, according to Lue, the organisation only had five affiliates that had paid fees and the managerial council took the decision to extend it to February 15.
However, come February 15, only 16 affiliates had completed payment and Lue wanted to ensure the majority of the 45 registered clubs that voted him in over the late Godfrey Lothian were included in determining the leadership of the association.
The cut-off date for nomination of candidates is 14 days before the AGM. Kingston and St Andrew Table Tennis Association (KSTTA) president Stephen Grant and Samuel Lamont, coach and administrator, are expected to challenge Lue.
“Some people (clubs) for various reasons said they were not able to register and expressed a desire to be a part of the political process and I do not want to be a president that does not command the majority vote.
“So I recommended to the managing council to convene a SGM to consider further extending the payment of affiliation fees. I am hoping more affiliates will be encouraged to get involved and feel included and do not feel like the association is trying to disenfranchise anyone from casting their vote,” he said.
WORK ETHIC AND GOODWILL
He added that he has no intention of corrupting the political process and is confident of extending his tenure.
“I am putting in the work. It is up to the delegates to decide who they want. I am just making sure all bonafide delegates will have the opportunity. But all things considered, I think my work ethic and goodwill will influence the votes in my favour.
“I am not going to corrupt the political process or try to keep anyone out, as long as they are a legitimate affiliate.
“But that does not mean that everyone who pays will be automatically accepted. You have to be a legitimate club with a venue, tables, players, a constitution and club officers.”