Interim president George Comissiong and Dr. Ian Hypolite will hope today that their respective campaigns leading up to Saturday's annual general meeting (AGM) and election of officers of the National Association of Athletics Administrations of T&T (NAAATT) will be enough to convince the general membership representing 59 clubs that either team will have what it takes to govern the sport over the next three years.
The AGM will be conducted in a Hybrid at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva from 2 pm for fully vaccinated and virtually for unvaccinated delegates.
At the close of the nomination on November 6, a total of 22 persons have offered up themselves to serve and are bidding to be elected for 11 positions, including six on the executive and five directors.
Incumbent Comissiong, who has been serving as interim president since late last year following the resignation of then-president Ephraim Serrette, retained three members of the current executive on his team including Dexter Voisin, the incumbent general secretary, and Durly Lucas, who is challenging for the second vice-president post and second vice-president Allan Baboolal, a member of the NAAATT for the past 35 years.
Baboolal along with Jehue Gordon, the 2013 Men’s 400 metres hurdles World champion, Zwede Hewitt, the 2010 men’s 400m national champion, and Jamaal James, a multiple men’s 800m national champion, and Cuquie Melville will be up for positions as directors.
The rest of Comissiong’s slate includes coach and former T&T Marathon champion Paul Voisin, who will be seeking to become the first vice-president, while Michelle Stoute is seeking the assistant general secretary position, and Marlene Roopchansingh Williams is vying to be succcessful as treasurer.
Comissiong used much of the time ahead of the AGM profiling his candidates to the membership and their plan, which is geared towards preparing the leadership of the NAAATT for the future as it is themed Youth Meets Experience—Passing The Baton, is broken down into five Strategic Pillars.
They cover, focusing on overall athlete development, enhancing support systems, building on past successes, taking athletics back to the community, and creating new products and opportunities.
Hypolite's team consists of Sherwin Joseph, who will contest the first vice-president post, Michelle Alleyne-Pennie for second vice-president, currently assistant general secretary Bevon Lorde general secretary; Damian Gopee for the assistant secretary post and Aisha Martin for the treasurer post. Seeking the positions as directors on his slate are Anna Lee Walcott, Soren Bishop, Peter Campbell, Arlon Morrison and Kairon Serrette.
Just last weekend, Hypolite, who served as a coach for the national track and field team at this year's Tokyo Olympic Games, had some contention with the process leading up to the AGM but Comissiong quickly responded to allay any fears.
In the latest push to have Hypolite assume the top spot, T&T's first Olympic gold medallist former national sprinter Hasely Crawford via short recording on social media on Thursday threw his support behind the only T&T coach to have coached medallists/finalists at every age group at every regional and international championship.
Candidates for NAAATT Elections
President: Dr. Ian Hypolite, George Comissiong
First vice president: Paul Voisin, Sherwin Joseph
Second vice president: Michelle Alleyne-Pennie, Durly Lucas
General secretary: Dexter Voisin, Bevon Lord
Assistant general secretary: Damian Gopee, Michelle Stoute
Treasurer: Aisha Martin, Marlene Roopchansingh-Williams
Directors: Jehue Gordon, Peter Campbell, Arlon Morrison, Jamaal James, Soren Bishop, Kairon Serrette, Cuquie Melville, Anna-Lee Walcott, Allan Baboolal, Zwede Hewitt.