KINGSTON, Jamaica — President of the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA), Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Delattibudiere, has been elected general secretary of the Pan-American Draughts and Checkers Confederation (PAMDCC).

The vote gives Jamaica its first seat on the confederation’s administrative committee since its inception and places the country at the centre of regional governance for 2026-2030.

As general secretary, Delattibudiere will draft the PAMDCC planning programme for 2026-2030. He will also manage official correspondence with the World Draughts Federation (WDF) and the 28 member nations and oversee technical regulations for all Pan-American events.

“The role is about quality administration, transformation, service and systems,” Delattibudiere was quoted as saying in a press release following the vote. “PAMDCC grew from four to 28 countries. The next step is to build on existing structures, launch more youth programmes, improve hosting standards, and have a high-quality, transparent administration to enhance growth. Jamaica is ready to help lead that work.”

Delegates endorsed the senior cop’s appointment, citing Jamaica’s renewed compliance and commitment to development. Several other competitors and representatives from the Pan-American region also welcomed the appointment and the announcement that the next Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championships will be held in Jamaica.

Delattibudiere said the aim now is to maintain the island’s international record in Pool Checkers 8×8 draughts-64 while improving its record in 10×10 Draughts-100.

The 24th PAMDCC General Assembly also re-elected President Clifton Agata from Curaçao by acclamation. Nearly the entire board retained their positions:

— President: Clifton R. Agata, Curaçao

— Vice president: Ricardo Wever, Aruba

— General secretary: Jermaine A Delattibudiere, Jamaica, replacing Hensley Rondei, Curaçao

— Treasurer: Lariza Wever-Maduro, Aruba

— Tournament director: Amauri G Peralta Fernandez, Dominican Republic

— First youth commissioner: Carol Butcher, St Lucia

— Second youth commissioner: Arwien Bhagwandas, Suriname

The incumbent First Youth Commissioner, Nicholas Ramsundar of Trinidad and Tobago, faced a choice between keeping his seat and challenging for the presidency. He gave up his seat, contested the top post, and lost by a wide margin.

Delattibudiere’s triumph as general secretary ended Curaçao’s 12-year hold on the Secretariat.

Delattibudiere, who assumed the JDA presidency in June 2025, travelled to Suriname as Jamaica’s sole delegate to the 23rd Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championship. Logistical constraints forced the association to scale back from a planned four-member team.

With the guidance of Christopher Samuda, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president, and in collaboration with PAMDCC president Agata, the JDA brought all membership obligations current through 2026, securing Jamaica’s vote at the assembly.

In addition, the 2028 Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championship, dubbed “Reggae Draughts International”, will be staged in Montego Bay, St James.

The event will feature senior, women and under-20 divisions and will serve as the official qualifier for the 2029 World Draughts Federation (WDF) International 10×10 Draughts World Championships in the Netherlands.

Jamaica’s hosting bid for the Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championships was prepared with guidance from Samuda. It will be executed under the JOA’s governance frameworks, with relevant assistance from other government and non-governmental organisations.

The proposal cited continental rotation and the need for a major 10×10 championship in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The Pan-American Championship is a huge event, usually lasting a week and can attract between 150 and 200 participants to the Island.

“Hosting is not just about one week; it’s about several months of planning and preparation. It’s about hitting the ground running to ramp up the JDA Draughts in Schools Programme in line with a good model used in Trinidad and Tobago, leaving infrastructure for the future,” Delattibudiere shared.

“When we host in 2028, every federation will leave with tools to grow youth participation at home. That’s how we answer the challenge of social media and keep draughts relevant,” he added.