Blake now head of JAAA

Dr Warren Blake, a long-time executive member of local track and field's ruling body, was elected to head the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) on Monday night.

Blake, a 58 year-old Kingston College old boy, replaces Howard Aris, who died suddenly last Thursday night.

At an emergency meeting of the JAAA on Monday night Blake, the former second vice-president under Aris, got the overwhelming support of his executive colleagues as he whipped first vice-president Grace Jackson 12-3.

Blake, a University of West Indies graduate who specialises in orthopaedics, also studied at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Blake is expected to continue in his new post until next year's annual general meeting. The JAAA's constitution states that a person so elected shall only remain in his post until the next annual general meeting, which is slated for November 29.

However, according to sources inside the athletic body, Blake looks set to retain his post until at least another year as he will not be challenged by members of the present executive when the meeting is held later this month, as he earned overwhelming support. The November 29 meeting is expected to ratify Blake's position.

Blake has been associated with the JAAA for many years and in recent times has been assigned to anti-doping both here and abroad. He has also travelled with several national teams as manager, with his latest being last year at the World Indoor Championships in Qatar, where he was also the team doctor. He was also team doctor at the successful Beijing Olympics in 2008.

A close friend of Aris since 1969, Blake also served as an executive member under the Pat Anderson-led JAAA seven years ago.

At Monday's meeting, Olympian Donald Quarrie was elevated to the post of second vice-president, the post Dr Blake held until Monday night.

Full executive

Dr Warren Blake - president; Grace Jackson - 1st vice-president; Donald Quarrie - 2nd vice-president; Vilma Charlton - 3rd vice-president; Dr Winston Dawes - 4th vice-president; Garth Gayle - general secretary; Marie Tavares - assistant general secretary; Ludlow Watts - treasurer; Charlie Fuller - director of records.

Management committee: Maxine Brown, Edward Hector, Bertland Cameron, Alfred Francis, Gregory Hamilton, Judith Ewart, Dennis Gordon, Trevor Campbell

Co-opted members: Merlene Hamilton, Cathy Rattray, Neville Myton, Juliet Cuthbert.