MONTEGO BAY, St. James - Western Basketball Association has named Mrs. Donalda Reid as its new President at its recently concluded Annual General Meeting last Sunday, December 20th at the Montego Bay Cricket Club complex.

Mrs. Reid has resigned her current position as Manager of the NBL outfit First Caribbean Int'l Bank Hoopers and has already taken up her position with the WBA.

"I want to personally thank Charles Stephenson, and the whole WBA board for doing such a wonderful job under significant constraints over these past few years."

The new President expressed that the new executive will strive to continue and even exceed the caliber of work and management of the previous administration in order to move the WBA along the path to becoming a dynamic force for change in the lives of the youth in Western Jamaica.

"We have a convergence of a number of very positive factors, including: the presence of Mr. Ajani Williams at the head of JaBA, our parent organization and his efforts, which have put a spotlight on Basketball in this country in a way that there has never been before;" she expressed."

Mrs. Reid said that her team will first seek to re-establish lines of communication with the teams and other stakeholders who have become detached from the machinations of the WBA over the years.

"As it is with their cooperation and support that the wind of change will triumph," she continued.

Despite being a not-for-profit organization increased emphasis will be placed on revenue generation so as to become a sustainable and viable entity especially in this harsh economic climate.

"We are certainly not unrealistic, we are very aware of the economic situation, but we will need to become very creative and to develop new ways to garner funding and will continue to work hard at controlling our expenditures."

In recent years, the WBA has seen a number of players such as Olando Brown, Samardo Samuels and Courtney Walters leaving their shores on scholarships. "Accomplishments such as these prove that there is a reservoir of talent here that just requires the proper support system, in the way of coaching, training and encouragement to bloom into something truly world class," she acknowledged.

"Now all we need are the resources required to provide the support for all these individuals and hopefully, that's where I come in."

Having worked as VP of Marketing, Business Development and Product Development for several multi-million dollar companies in the United States and lead many a marketing and development teams, even making presentations to large corporations such as Wal-Mart;

"I am hopeful that my negotiating skills and business experience can parlay itself into tools to facilitate the growth of the WBA by wooing prospective sponsors and stakeholders to provide us with the very resources we so desperately need."

Other members elected to the new executive include deputy-presidents Deon Williams (Leagues), Galton Taylor (Development), Janette Hamilton (Finance) and Khurt Comrie (Marketing). Deon Tinglin was named General Secretary, Shayla McDonald, Assistant Secretary; Committee Members: Steven Campbell, Marketing; Otis Myrie, Leagues and Sheldon Pearson, Development.

By Khurt Comrie