New JADCO reps for Cabinet approval

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Just over two months since the board of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) was dismantled by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, the minister is expected to submit the names of the members to constitute a new board to Cabinet tomorrow.

The JADCO board, at the request of the minister, resigned en bloc in early July following recommendations made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

On the invitation of the sports minister, members of WADA, including director general David Howman, visited the island in May to examine the operations of the two-year-old local anti-doping body.

Following the visit, the WADA head praised JADCO for the advancements made since its inception but warned of potential conflict of interest with regard to members of the board, who headed sports bodies here in Jamaica.

Paul Campbell and Howard Aris, for example, who were members of the board, also headed the Jamaica Cricket Association and the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, respectively. Dr Herb Elliot, who was also a member of the board, was also a doping control officer, a situation that WADA frowned upon.

possible members

Among the names sources believe will be submitted to Cabinet, The Sunday Gleaner understands, could be Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, who was also a member of the previous board; Joan Brown, an accountant; Alveta Knight, an attorney; and Andrew Wheatley, the mayor of Spanish Town, who holds a PhD in biochemistry. By law, three other persons will constitute the new board.

Executive director of JADCO, Dr Patrece Charles Freeman, while not able to confirm the names of the persons who will make up the new board, would only offer "I am awaiting the appointment of the new board and looking forward to a productive and successful relationship".

Sources within the ministry said the information obtained by The Sunday Gleaner could very well be so, but were unwilling to confirm.