... voted new head of local basketball

LIVINGSTON SCOTT, STAR Writer

DR Mark Broomfield is the new Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) president.

After more than a year without a leader, JaBA delegates elected Broomfield at the association's, Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), yesterday.

Broomfield, a former national team manager, took seven of the 18 votes to beat off the challenges of Paulton Gordon (six), Captain Clifton Lumsden (five), and Douglas Reid (none).

Broomfield's team is completed by Calvin Martin (first vice president), Kino Johnson (second vp), Paulton Gordon (third vp), Marland Nattie (general secretary), Kevin Alexander (treasurer), and Michelle McClymoth (assistant treasurer).

The executive members of the board were still being decided on up to press time.

Broomfield said that after all that has happened in basketball over the last year, it is important for the stakeholders to unite and start working immediately to re-organise and structure the organisation.

"We have to put the pieces together. That is the approach to my leadership, to take the strenghts from all of us so we can achieve our objectives."

new administration

Broomfield's first mission is to meet with his new administration and plan the way forward.

"We are starting right now to rebuild the integrity and brand of basketball. There are some things we have to deal with that are outstanding like debts, finances, and restructuring, but those decisions will come out of the meetings with members and affiliates. We must discuss and plan as a team then come with solutions as one and present to the public."

The new basketball boss promised to strengthen the rural conferences, starting by seeking permanent homes for all conference headquarters.

"Now the election is over, the talking is over; it's working time and the delegates are impatient and not in the foolishness; they want to see results, and we will work hard to ensure that they see results," he said.

Meanwhile, Hazel Cameron, chairman of the interim steering committee, responsible for administrating the sport after elections were put off twice last year, praised that committee for keeping the sport together.

"I thought we carried out our mandate effectively. Mr Broomfield has good ideas and a vision for basketball. He has always articulated change," she said.