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St. John’s, Antigua – August 19, 2024
In the wake of a severe oversight that has left four of Antigua and Barbuda’s most promising young track and field athletes unable to compete in the upcoming World Athletics Under-20 Championships, Cleofoster Harris, a concerned member of the Antigua Barbuda Athletics Association (ABAA), has called for the immediate resignation of the ABAA President, Everton Cornelius, and the entire executive committee.
The failure to register these athletes, who had all qualified at the National Track & Field Championships in July, has been described by Harris as a “national disgrace” and an “embarrassment” to the country.
The athletes, representing the Power Speed Endurance (PSE) Track Club, were set to compete on the world stage in Lima, Peru, later this month.
However, due to what has been cited as “poor communication, poor management, and lacklustre organizing” by the ABAA, their dreams have been dashed.
Harris did not mince words in his statement, expressing profound disappointment with the current leadership and calling for urgent change.
“The offices of the ABAA should be regarded as the premier institution for the development of athletes throughout Antigua and Barbuda, and what has transpired with this year’s registration for the World Athletics Championship only echoes the need for drastic change,” he said.
In addition to calling for the immediate resignation of President Cornelius and the entire executive committee, Harris also announced his candidacy for the presidency of the ABAA.
He emphasized his commitment to restoring trust, improving the association’s management, and ensuring that such oversights never occur again.
“I am running for the presidency of the ABAA because I believe that our athletes deserve better. They deserve a leadership that is accountable, efficient, and fully dedicated to their development and success on the world stage. I look forward to the full support of the general body in this endeavor, as we work together to build a brighter future for our nation’s athletes,” Harris stated.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage within the athletic community and the entire country at large, with many echoing Harris’s call for accountability and reform.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the ABAA’s next move, with the hope that swift action will be taken to rectify the grave disservice done to the country’s young athletes.
You should resign as well for asking for the thousand dollars extra on stone wall bill
I was flabbergasted to read this article where Mr. Cleofoster Harris is calling on the ABAA President and the entire Executive, to resign from their substantive duties; and more so to hear that he has intentions of running for that very post of president. This is a case of a pot calling a kettle black and Mr. Harris should never be pointing a finger at anyone else. Here’s why I said so …
Mr Harris is an executive member (2nd Vice President) of the Antigua & Barbuda CYCLING Federation (ABCF) and my questions to you sir is …
Can you tell the public, participants and their parents of this good sport, why the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championship NEVER manifested in Antigua? You are also a member of a known sporting financial board. Can you tell us why financial support is NEVER forth coming to the ABCF, which would aid us greatly in our local and regional cycling activities, especially if you cannot get your own way?
Sir, you carry out your duties with a vindictive and don’t care attitude. Sometimes you don’t even show up to support the very sport that you are an executive member of. Now, how can you restore trust and improve management, in the Antigua & Barbuda Athletics Association, when you make no effort to do so as an executive member of the Antigua & Barbuda CYCLING Federation? You are a disgrace and embarrassment to the Cycling sport and our dedicated cyclists, youngsters and seasoned riders deserve better. I call on YOU to resign your post in the ABCF and to leave it to those who truly love the sport.