By Neto Baptiste
Former national sprinter turned coach, Teddy Daley, has tendered his resignation as an Ordinary Member of the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association (ABAA).
The move comes just hours after Daley vowed to leave the organisation if the President, Everton Cornelius, did not submit his own letter of resignation by August 29.
Daley’s call followed suggestions by Cornelius that he had offered, during a recent executive meeting, to leave the post if asked by the other executive members present at the time and that no one responded to his offer.
Observer media broke the news two weeks ago that athletes who would have met the qualifying standards for the ongoing World Athletics Under-23 Champions in Lima, Peru, had been denied the opportunity to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the games after the national association would have missed two registration deadlines.
In his resignation letter, Daley accused Cornelius of “shifting blame” while having no regard for “the psychological trauma that the athletes are currently going through”.
“I have yet to see or hear anything from you that will help to resolve the matter and give the organisation an opportunity to repair the extensive damage that has been caused as a result,” the letter stated.
Daley is the third member of the body to tender their resignation since the debacle. Third Vice President Dr Philmore Benjamin submitted his resignation letter during the executive meeting held August 23, while First Vice President Richard Linsday reportedly resigned shortly after.
The association is set to have an executive meeting on Saturday.
Sprinters Kasiya Daley, Ajani Daley and Geolyna Dowdye, 2022 Under-17 Carifta gold medallist in the 100 meters, Dwayne Fleming and LaNica Locker had all qualified for the event. Locker had however, reportedly opted out of going to the meet.
The athletes all hail from the Power Speed Endurance (PSE) track club.
