Raphael withdraws to back Doldron

HAMPTON president Rawle Raphael has withdrawn from the race for president of the National Ameateur Athletic Association. And the man who has successfully staged 31 editions of Hampton International Games has decided to throw in his lot with incumbent Ken Doldron. In a statement yestrday, Raphael said “there is likely to be a splitting of votes at the annual general meeting of the NAAA with three candidates involved so I am withdrawing my candidacy.” He said his withdrawal will leave it to a straight fight between Doldron and retired Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Carl Alfonso. The NAAA will stage their annual general meeting tomorrow at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Raphael said his reason for supporting Doldron stems from dedicated members of his team, besides having two track and field icons in his corner, 1976 Montreal gold medallist Hasely Crawford and four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon. Apart from these, Raphael said Doldron has other hard-working members in his fold in Allan Baboolal, George Commissiong, Anthony Price, Kelvin Roberts, Dr Ian Hypolite, Kenny Bermudez, Gunnes Persad, Carlene Haynes and Peter Samuel. And in Raphael’s view, Doldron has achieved some measure of success for the NAAA during his last term of office. He said the incumbent also has plans to have tracks certified and field event facilities instituted at all stadia. Doldron also has a plan to assist unemployed coaches and clubs with their day to day management.