Aris

THE PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) has been called upon to serve the world's governing body, the International Associa-tion of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Howard Aris, who took office as the JAAA head in 2004, has been invited by IAAF president Liam Diack to be a part of the newly-formed School and Youth Commission Committee.

The committee is the brainchild of Diack, who in his manifesto two years ago, said: "Athletics must be given a central role in schools around the world."

It will also assist in the development of a modified IAAF Coaches' Education and to ensure that approved recommendations are implemented and evaluated on a regular basis.

Appointment welcomed

Aris, a former advisor on sports to former Prime Minister Michael Manley, welcomed the appointment.

"I am humbled to serve athletics at the highest level on a commission of the IAAF," Aris said.

"I see this move as an honour for Jamaica more than myself," he said.

The committee members are chairman Jamel Simohamed (Algeria), Bernard Amsalem (France), Aris (Jamaica), José Eurique Arraras (Puerto Rico), Sebastian Coe (Britain), Helio Marinho Gesta De Melo (Brazil), Jose Garcia Crossocordon (Spain), Margaret Mahony (Australia), Mahgoub Saeed Mahgoub (Saudi Arabia) and Lyle Sanderson (Canada).