Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) First Vice President Ian Forbes has called for greater collaboration among sports administrators to ensure the continued success of Jamaican athletes on the global stage. Speaking at an event hosted by the Ministry of Sports last Friday, Forbes emphasized the need for administrators to prioritize athletes’ well-being over personal or organizational interests.
The event celebrated Jamaica’s delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics, with cash awards presented to athletes, coaches, and administrators. While Forbes did not directly address specific controversies, his remarks came in the wake of ongoing tensions between the JAAA and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), which have been widely reported to impact athlete preparation and performance.
During the Paris Olympics, athletes Lamara Distin and Danniel Thomas-Dodd publicly expressed frustration over being denied access to their coaches before their respective events. Observers believe the strained relationship between the JAAA and the JOA may have contributed to these issues, potentially affecting the athletes’ performances.
Despite such challenges, Forbes highlighted the achievements of Jamaica’s field event athletes, who made history in Paris. However, the campaign was marked by setbacks, including injuries to medal contenders Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert. Additionally, 400m standout Nickisha Pryce, who entered the Games with the fastest time in the world, fell ill with a stomach virus and was unable to advance past the semi-finals.
“We weathered the storm, but we have to be careful. We cannot afford to be complacent,” Forbes cautioned. “Certain persons like Glen Mills have spoken out about some of the things we need to address as we move forward. But it’s not doom and gloom. In fact, it’s totally different. If we look at the trajectory, if we look at what could have been, there were a number of circumstances that could have cost us six medals.”
Forbes underscored the importance of unity among administrators, stressing that their primary focus should be the athletes and the nation’s success.
“We have to work together in a more collaborative way and realize that we are not working for ourselves, particularly the administrators. We are working for our athletes. We are working for Jamaica,” Forbes said. “Whenever egos come into play, we need to put that aside and focus on the task at hand.”
He also noted the recent changes in JAAA leadership and expressed hope for a more cooperative approach moving forward.
“There is a new JAAA administration that was installed a few weeks ago, and one pledge that came out was to be more collaborative and, of course, listen to our stakeholders. That must be the way forward.”
Forbes’ comments reflect a broader recognition that harmony among Jamaica’s sporting bodies is essential for maintaining the country’s dominance in track and field. Resolving conflicts and fostering a collaborative environment will be key to ensuring that athletes have the support and resources they need to excel on the global stage.
With a promising future ahead, Forbes’ call for unity serves as a timely reminder that the collective efforts of administrators and stakeholders are vital to the success of Jamaican athletics.