JaBA election set for March 13

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) president, Ajani Williams, will on Sunday, March 13 know whether he will be asked to serve another term.

Willliams, who is in the second of his two-year tenure, and has been credited with helping to raise the image and profile of the association, will be challenged for the post by Captain Clifford Lumsdem, who he had defeated 16-8 in 2008 at the association's last Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The date for this year's AGM was announced at the association's much-delayed annual council meeting, which took place at the Sports Development Foundation on Phoenix Avenue last Sunday, hours before the tip-off of the 2011 Flow National Basketball League at the National Arena.

"I think that this is good for basketball and I wish we had about four other people challenging me," Williams told The Gleaner in a recent interview.

"I think the fact that we have two people running is a good thing because going uncontested would not be a good thing," he added.

Lumsden, in the meantime, who was the JaBA's first vice-president to Marland Nattie in the administration that served prior to Williams' victory at the polls, believes he has a better chance this time around and is expressing confidence.

"I think that I can win but I will have to do some things different on this occasion. But the plans are in place for what to do," Lumsden said.

He added: "Persons in the fraternity have recognised the challenges that are currently being faced and have offered their support to me."