Tweet
C
McCook justifies Ja's rare hosting of Carifta
BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer
Thursday, March 17, 2011
CATHERINE HALL, St James — Neville 'Teddy' McCook, president of the North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has taken on the blame for Jamaica's not hosting events such as the CARIFTA Games.
In deflecting the blame away from the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), McCook said upon assuming office as president of NACAC, he had told the local body he would not support their bidding for any regional junior championships.
"I take full responsibility for that and I make no excuses about it because I have a policy to develop the region," McCook said while addressing the press launch of the 40th CARIFTA Games at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.
Jamaica has not hosted the meet in 15 years — since 1996 when they played host for the sixth time — but McCook said it "was not negligence or disinterest of the JAAA, but in fact a point of view from the leadership of the region".
"In the absence of events of this nature from this region, you can put the blame on me," McCook said.
He added: "When I assumed (the NACAC) office I made it very clear to the leadership of the JAAA that I would not be supporting any bid that they put forward to host any of these junior events in this region for one simple reason: I'm responsible for 32 countries and I think I have a responsibility to see 32 countries grow."
McCook, who is also the chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the CARIFTA Games, said he felt "it was important to give opportunities to those countries that did not have facilities".
"You grow and improve and get facilities when you host Games and therefore I took the decision; it was my responsibility that I wanted to see as much countries as possible hosting events and getting the necessary facilities," he added.
Not all the 32 countries would be able to host events, McCook pointed out, as between three or four members are without top-class facilities, but some have had land space identified and they will soon get facilities.
He pointed out that Montserrat would not be able to have a 400-metres running track due to the lack of land space after the eruptions of volcanoes there.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1GsAHNVPv
McCook justifies Ja's rare hosting of Carifta
BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer
Thursday, March 17, 2011
CATHERINE HALL, St James — Neville 'Teddy' McCook, president of the North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has taken on the blame for Jamaica's not hosting events such as the CARIFTA Games.
In deflecting the blame away from the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), McCook said upon assuming office as president of NACAC, he had told the local body he would not support their bidding for any regional junior championships.
"I take full responsibility for that and I make no excuses about it because I have a policy to develop the region," McCook said while addressing the press launch of the 40th CARIFTA Games at the Montego Bay Sports Complex yesterday.
Jamaica has not hosted the meet in 15 years — since 1996 when they played host for the sixth time — but McCook said it "was not negligence or disinterest of the JAAA, but in fact a point of view from the leadership of the region".
"In the absence of events of this nature from this region, you can put the blame on me," McCook said.
He added: "When I assumed (the NACAC) office I made it very clear to the leadership of the JAAA that I would not be supporting any bid that they put forward to host any of these junior events in this region for one simple reason: I'm responsible for 32 countries and I think I have a responsibility to see 32 countries grow."
McCook, who is also the chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the CARIFTA Games, said he felt "it was important to give opportunities to those countries that did not have facilities".
"You grow and improve and get facilities when you host Games and therefore I took the decision; it was my responsibility that I wanted to see as much countries as possible hosting events and getting the necessary facilities," he added.
Not all the 32 countries would be able to host events, McCook pointed out, as between three or four members are without top-class facilities, but some have had land space identified and they will soon get facilities.
He pointed out that Montserrat would not be able to have a 400-metres running track due to the lack of land space after the eruptions of volcanoes there.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1GsAHNVPv