Forbes
Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
SHERWIN WILLIAMS' boss and track and field enthusiast Ian Forbes has expressed an interest in the top job of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA).
News doing the rounds has it that Forbes, assistant manager of Jamaica's track and field team at the Athens Olympics, and Sports Development Foundation (SDF) chairman Howard Aris are the two candidates vying to become Jamaica's second largest sports body's chief.
However, while The Sunday Gleaner was unable to find Aris for comment, Forbes said he has not decided as yet.
STRONG POSSIBILITY
"It's something under consideration It's a strong possibility," Forbes said.
Forbes, who managed the 2000 World Junior team to Chile where Veronica Campbell became the first female to win the sprint double, believes his decision to run will "depend on the mood of the people (delegates), in terms of the likely success and the level of support".
Forbes said "youth development" would be one of his main aims if he decides to run.
"The programme at the youth level will have to be continued on a sustained basis to ensure that we have continuity for the future. The whole level of administration needs to be improved as well as the development of our coaches through training programmes and other forms of assistance," Forbes, managing director at Sherwin Williams, said.
Present chief Pat Anderson, who is not seeking re-election, identified Forbes, who was the chairman of the organising committee for the successful national championships, as a good candidate.
FORBES' ASSISTANCE
Although Forbes was a part of the Christian Stokes-headed slate which lost in 2000, Anderson said Forbes' assistance to his administration was great.
The election is set for late November and Forbes believes his "decision will have to be made in another week or two".
The Gleaner has learnt that Forbes would have the full backing of the present administration.
It is believed that Aris, who was the chairman of the organising committee for the Jamaica International Invitational meet, has the backing of former president Teddy McCook, who is the area representative for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NACAC).
Aris, a former K.C. coach, once served as vice president in the McCook administration in the early '90s. He was also chairman of INSPORTS.
