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Gayle says athletes defecting will create ‘new opportunities’ - JAAA President says despite Türkiye defections, national programme remains strong
June 24, 2025
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle has officially acknowledged Jamaican athletes making the switch to Turkiye, saying the country will continue to produce top talents.
Gayle was speaking yesterday at the press launch of the National Junior and Senior Championships at the JAAA head office in Kingston.
His comments follow confirmation that World Athletics has received the applications for four Jamaican athletes to switch their allegiance to Turkiye - Olympic men's discus gold medallist and record holder Roje Stona, Olympic men's long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic men's shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell and World U20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert.
While initially stating last week that the JAAA would treat the news as "allegations" due to a lack of documentation to support the claims, Gayle, addressing the issue yesterday, says it is a cause of concern.
"In recent days, we have all been impacted with the news of four offers for our field event athletes to switch allegiance to Turkiye ahead of our National Championships and subsequently, the World Championships in Turkiye," Gayle acknowledged.
"Although this phenomena is not unique to Jamaica, nor is it to the JAAA, of concern to all Jamaica, nevertheless, the challenge it offers will create new opportunities or other athletes to gain selection and to represent the country."
Gayle said the success Jamaica has seen at the junior level is proof that the national track and field programme will continue to succeed despite the departure of several key field event athletes.
He pointed to Kamari Kennedy's performance at this year's Carifta Games as an indicator that Jamaica will continue to grow in the field events.
Kennedy had broken the records in the boys' shot put and discus throw events on his way to being awarded the Austin Sealy Award for being the most outstanding athlete at the regional meet.
"Jamaica continues to lead the global athletics stage as we punch above our weight. And while we observe the new development of field events, this was not something that is new or is surprising to us at the JAAA."
LUCRATIVE OFFERS
Ludlow Watts, the JAAA's treasurer, said while the association has supported its various athletes, it would never be able to match the more lucrative offers of several other countries.
"What we are able to say is that what this administration has been able to do is to build a programme and that is what Turkiye and the others, if we didn't have a good programme, then they would not be coming to take away our athletes," Watts said.
Turkiye is said to have offered each athlete US$500,000 (approximately J$80 million) for changing their nationality, plus a monthly stipend and bonuses for outstanding achievements while representing the country.
"There is no way we could ever match those type of benefits they offer. We do not have those resources. But we will have to build the resources that we have to get the best results."
