JADCO's board resigns

Kingston (Jamaica), Nov 23 (IANS/CMC) The entire board, including the chairman of the beleaguered Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), Herb Elliott, has resigned, according to sports minister Natalie Neita-Headley.

The resignations take effect from Dec 31, reports CMC.

The minister said this is among steps to overhaul the agency so as to improve the structure and protect the integrity of Jamaica's athletes.

"Quite recently, JADCO's commissioners met and acknowledged that there is a public perception of the existence of conflicts of interests among some of the members of the commission. The commissioners have taken a decision, in the national interest and in order to facilitate the restructuring of JADCO, to tender their resignations which will take effect on Dec 31, 2013. The prime minister respects the decision of the commissioners and has accepted their resignations," said Neita-Headley.

The Jamaican minister also announced that critical vacant positions have been filled and commencing Nov 30, new doping control officers are to be trained. She said that in addition to the post of executive director, five other key positions have been filled including a director of finance, a position crucial to the process of making the commission independent of government; a director of communications, a director of technical services, a doping control and results manager, and one of two public education officer posts.

A human resource manager, an accounting technician and another public education officer are currently being recruited.

Neita-Headley said that money has been allocated to improve JADCO's website to include educational materials

"I am pleased to confirm that the CHASE Fund has approved a grant of $69, 802 for the purpose of 'preserving the spirit of sport'. These funds will be used to develop nutritional and educational materials, to include the development of a new website, as well as for additional doping control testing."

--IANS/CMC

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