The Jamaica Olympic Association on Saturday issued a statement clarifying comments made by Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association treasurer Ludlow Watts regarding the payment for air travel for the Jamaican Track & Field delegation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 28-August 8 in Birmingham.
“The Jamaica Olympic Association, given a report by Kayon Raynor regarding the travel arrangements in relation to the Commonwealth Games, is obliged to respond to state the facts and rehearse the same for the benefit of Mr. Ludlow Watts, JAAA's Treasurer, who is alleged to have made unfortunate comments concerning the matter,” the statement started.
It continued: "From time immemorial travel grants in relation to athletes and officials have been instituted by owners of regional and international games and this has not changed and all parties are aware of this fact.
Last year in relation to the Tokyo Olympic Games, travel agencies were identified with which member associations were advised to interface in making travel arrangements for their athletes and officials. The JAAA compiled and consulted a travel agency and made appropriate arrangements on behalf of their athletes and officials with the agency which is the said agency that is handling arrangements for the JAAA for the Commonwealth Games.
Mr. Watts, a seasoned manager, understands that the travel grant is a fixed sum and as obtained in relation to the Tokyo Olympics, is aware that travel arrangements should be made efficiently by his association to avoid increased costs.
In the report by Kayon Raynor, Mr. Watts fails to mention that the JAAA adhered to the policy with respect to the Tokyo Games and gives the impression that the JOA has the responsibility of dealing directly with member athletes of his governing body whose itineraries and attendant obligations are more known to the JAAA.
Based on the previous course of dealing respecting the Tokyo Olympic Games to which the JAAA adhered, the impression given is misconceived. What clearly is of concern to Mr. Watts, as keeper of the JAAA's treasury, is the risk of increased travel costs consequent upon the delay committed by his association in failing to provide a definitive list of athletes and officials with settled itineraries coupled with its continual reworking of lists of athletes and officials in a vain attempt to comply with the regulations of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
It is from this self-imposed risk that Mr. Watts is attempting to flee in "championship" style.
Furthermore, the JOA is alarmed that in the report of Kayon Raynor, Mr. Watts states that there is an overage of US$1,240.00 per person versus the individual travel grant when the JOA, to date, is still not in receipt from the JAAA of the itinerary costs of the track and field delegation.
All other member associations which have sports participating in the Commonwealth Games, in keeping with the established course of dealing, interfaced with their respective travel agencies, made appropriate bookings cost-effectively and are either comfortable in Birmingham or en route seamlessly.
Had Mr. Watts, as Chancellor of the Exchequer of the JAAA, complied with the CGF's regulations and refrained from providing lists that changed continually and are still changing to date he would not have found himself and place his association in this quandary.
Despite Mr Watts' failure to manage the process, the JOA, in the interest of Jamaica's athletes, will work with the travel agency with a view to having them attend the Games. Also, the JOA reminds Mr. Watts that it has never resiled from its obligation regarding travel costs and therefore his misstatement that the JOA is refusing to pay is ill-conceived. What he must consider is that the business of sport requires economic decisions to ensure viability."
Jamaica track and field coaches to be issued two-year licenses starting January 2025
Beginning January 1, 2025, track and field coaches in Jamaica will need a two-year renewable license to continue practicing, as per the new regulations set by the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). This licensing shift aligns with changes by World Athletics, which now requires coaches' certification to be renewed every two years based on evidence of continued education.
The new regulations were outlined at a recent JATAFCA meeting, where Ralph Mouchbahani from the World Athletics Coaching Education Department explained the changes in the Coaches Education and Certification System. Mouchbahani clarified that all World Athletics certifications, previously valid indefinitely, will now expire after two years. “All certifications of World Athletics are not valid for a lifetime anymore. They will need to be renewed after two years to maintain their validity,” he said.
Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, welcomed the updates and expressed strong support for this structured approach to coaching. Speaking at the meeting, Gayle confirmed that the JAAA and JATAFCA have agreed to give the Coaches Association administrative responsibility for the Coaches Education Program. “The new program is about making you better individuals to produce top-class athletes, for which Jamaica is well known worldwide,” Gayle stated, noting that the shift aims to further professionalize coaching in Jamaica.
As part of the new system, previously certified coaches must complete the World Athletics Safeguarding course and pay a license fee to transition into the updated program. Meanwhile, new coaches will need to complete one of the various World Athletics courses to qualify for initial certification. All coaches, regardless of experience, will have to participate in Continuous Education (CE) to earn credits that will be required for license renewal.
To accumulate these CE credits, coaches can attend workshops, seminars, and courses hosted by a variety of recognized organizations, including World Athletics, JAAA, JATAFCA, Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine, JADCO, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Sports, INSPORTS, and other Member Federations. Beginning in January 2026, coaches will also be required to submit a police record to renew their licenses.
David Riley, President of JATAFCA, alongside veteran instructor Roy Thomas, who both recently completed the World Athletics Level 2 Lecturers Course, will oversee the rollout of the new Coaching Education Content for Jumps, Throws, Sprints, and Hurdles. Riley provided insight into the new system’s structure, which allows coaches to achieve World Athletics certification at three levels:
Level 1: Youth Coach (U16)
Level 2: Junior Coach (U20)
Level 3: Senior Coach (20+)
Level 1 certification can be achieved by completing an online self-driven course, which will serve as the prerequisite for an initial license upon completion of an in-person assessment by JATAFCA. The next assessment is scheduled for November 15 in Kingston, providing a final opportunity for coaches to gain initial licensing compliance before the new regulations take effect in January.
Through these changes, Jamaica’s coaching landscape is set to see significant professional development, ensuring that track and field coaches across the island meet rigorous international standards.
Samuda empathizes with Comm Games Federation over scaled-down 2026 event; urges possible compensation for excluded sports
Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president, Christopher Samuda, has expressed understanding and empathy toward the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) as they face the challenge of hosting a scaled-down version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
With the event, traditionally a grand celebration of sport, culture, and unity, being reduced in size due to economic pressures, Samuda acknowledges the difficulties facing the CGF while also stressing the need to find ways to address the impact this decision will have on several sports that have been cut from the programme.
Diving, rugby, squash, badminton, table tennis, hockey, triathlon, and cricket are among the sports that will not feature in the 2026 edition.
The CGF initially struggled to find a host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew last year, before Glasgow, known for its rich sporting history as a host city—including hosting the 2014 edition of the game—stepped in to save the 2026 Games. However, this comes with the reality of hosting a more compact edition than previous iterations.
For Samuda, the situation is an unfortunate but understandable outcome in a global landscape.
“The circumstances in which the Commonwealth Games Federation unavoidably found itself inevitably led to a scaled-down edition of the games. I regret the exclusion of badminton, table tennis, squash, and hockey; for those sports, the Jamaica Olympic Association has earmarked for real transitioning. The CGF’s decision was clearly influenced by commercial factors and the economy of a diminished sporting agenda, for at the end of the day, the games must be viable to ensure sustainability,” Samuda said.
However, Samuda also noted that the decision to reduce the scope of the Games, which will see several sports omitted from the 2026 programme, raises important questions about the future of those disciplines within the Commonwealth sporting family.
He argued that the CGF must find ways to compensate the sports that have been excluded, as they are integral to the diversity and spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
“Going forward, however, the CGF has to develop a strategy that will compensate those sports that are being excluded so as not to lose the interest and confidence of their international federations, commercial partners, and most importantly, the players and athletes for whom sports exist,” he reasoned.
Despite the current challenges, Samuda remains optimistic about the future of the Commonwealth Games and the role it plays in uniting nations through sport. He sees the 2026 edition in Glasgow as an opportunity to innovate and adapt, ensuring that the Games remain relevant in a changing world.
The Games will feature a 10-sport programme across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, with more than 500,000 tickets made available for spectators.
Athletics and swimming are included as compulsory sports for 2026, while there will also be track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3x3 basketball.
“It is critical that the next games, while being an economic reinvention, should retain that unique traditional value that has given many sports and invaluable space on the Commonwealth sporting agenda and which have made it competitive as a sporting and commercial product amidst growing competition for the partnership dollar and public viewership and appeal,” Samuda said.
Glasgow confirmed as hosts for 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026. Glasgow also hosted the games back in 2014.
Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, ensuring an action-packed broadcast schedule across each day of competition and making the event accessible and appealing to spectators looking to enjoy the multi-sport environment and festival feel.
With over 500,000 tickets to be made available at a future date, there will be around 3,000 of the best athletes competing from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories that represent 2.5 billion people – one-third of the world’s population.
Para sport will once again be fully integrated as a key priority and point of difference for the Games, with six Para sports included on the sport programme.
The sports programme will include Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.
The Games will take place across four venues: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and support staff will be housed in hotel accommodation.
Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir NZOM said, ‘’On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement, we are delighted to officially confirm that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in the host city of Glasgow. The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity that inspires athletes and sports – with a fan experience more accessible than ever before.”
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