Christopher Samuda is the new president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA). Samuda, in the elections to replace Mike Fennell, who served 40 years, defeated Vishu Tolan 20 to 16.
The elections took place at the JOA’s offices in Kingston.
Meanwhile, the entire Samuda team was voted in to serve for the next four years.
Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation boss Chris Stokes beat JAAA’s president Dr. Warren Blake 25 to 11 for the post of first vice president while Garth Gayle, the JAAA’s general secretary beat Martin Lyn, former Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica head, 29 to 7 for the 2nd VP position.
Alan Beckford beat former netball boss Marva Bernard 28-8 for the Secretary General post while long serving Treasurer Compton Rodney lost 21-15 to GraceKennedy executive Nichole Case.
All four directors, Raymond Anderson, Laurel Smith, Robert Scott and Yvonne Kong were voted on from Samuda’s slate.
Mike Fennell said he left a wealthy JOA for the new executive to carry on the nation’s business successfully.
The first order of business for the new executive is to prepare Jamaica’s team for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas next month.