Despite refuting what it described as misconceived claims from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) surrounding Commonwealth Games travel arrangements, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) said it will manage the process in the best interest of having athletes represent the country in Birmingham, England.

The JOA made the declaration as it sought to clear the air on which sporting body is tasked with shouldering responsibility for athletes’ travel arrangements for the July 28 to August 8 event.

This follows an earlier report where JAAA’s treasurer Ludlow Watts, who is also manager of the track and field delegation to the Commonwealth Games, was firm in his stance that the onus was on the JOA and, as such, his association was not intent on paying to get athletes and officials from the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, to Birmingham.

However, the JOA in its defence, explained that from time immemorial, travel grants in relation to athletes and officials have been instituted by owners of regional and international games and this has not changed, a fact which it said all parties are aware of.

The JOA said for last year’s delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, travel agencies were identified with which member associations were advised to interface in making travel arrangements for their athletes and officials.

“The JAAA compiled and consulted a travel agency and made appropriate arrangements on behalf of their athletes and officials with the agency which is the said agency that is handling arrangements for the JAAA for the Commonwealth Games.

“Mr Watts, a seasoned manager, understands that the travel grant is a fixed sum and as obtained in relation to the Tokyo Olympic, is aware that travel arrangements should be made efficiently by his association to avoid increased costs,” the release said.

“Mr Watts fails to mention that the JAAA adhered to the policy with respect to the Tokyo Games and gives the impression that the JOA has the responsibility of dealing directly with member athletes of his governing body whose itineraries and attendant obligations are more known to the JAAA,” it added noting that the impression given is misconceived based on the fact that the JAAA adhered to the previous course of dealing for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

On that note, the JOA fired back, as it is of the view that Watts’s comments was an attempt to flee the self-imposed risk of footing additional costs due to late submission of the JAAA’s athletes and officials list with confirmed itineraries.

“What clearly is of concern to Mr Watts, as keeper of the JAAA’s treasury, is the risk of increased travel costs consequent upon the delay committed by his association in failing to provide a definitive list of athletes and officials with settled itineraries, coupled with its continual reworking of lists of athletes and officials, in a vain attempt to comply with the regulations of the Commonwealth Games Federation. It is from this that Mr Watts is attempting to flee in “championship” style,” the JOA stated.

Furthermore, the JOA said it is alarmed that Watts stated that there is an average of US$1,240 per person as opposed to the US$1,120 Commonwealth Games travel grant per athlete and official that they were advised of by letter on June 6.

Still, the JOA revealed it is yet to receive the itinerary costs of the track and field delegation from the JAAA.

“All other member associations which have sports participating in the Commonwealth Games, in keeping with the established course of dealing, interfaced with their respective travel agencies, made appropriate bookings cost-effectively and are either comfortable in Birmingham or en route seamlessly.

“Had Mr Watts, as Chancellor of the Exchequer of the JAAA, complied with the CGF’s regulations and refrained from providing lists that changed continually and are still changing to date, he would not have found himself and place his association in this quandary,” the JOA stated.

“Despite Mr Watts’ failure to manage the process, the JOA, in the interest of Jamaica’s athletes, will work with the travel agency with a view to having them attend the Games.

“Also, the JOA reminds Mr Watts that it has never resiled from its obligation regarding travel costs and therefore his misstatement that the JOA is refusing to pay is ill-conceived. What he must consider is that the business of sport requires economic decisions to ensure viability,” the release ended.