Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Neville 'Teddy' McCook won the presidential elections for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACACAA) in August, but is yet to take office.
However, when the most powerful man in the region's athletics takes office, it will be at a new location: Kingston, Jamaica.
The present office is in Puerto Rico, but that, like its former president Amadeo Francis, who demitted office after the World Championships in Osaka, Japan, will soon change.
McCook, who is also the IAAF Area Representative, said the relocation will be more convenient.
"Certainly, it would be more convenient for correspondence, directives, enquiries and things like," explained McCook, adding that "not only for our member federations, but the IAAF body also".
McCook is now seeking government assistance to acquire suitable office space for the association, whose members also include powerhouse United States, as well as Canada, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
"We are looking to see where Government may have some additional space ... because from time to time they do have space around and I have put out a few enquiries and hopefully, in the coming weeks, I will have a chance to visit one or two of the sites," added McCook.
Plans under way
"I hope to have something by the middle of January. I have asked the headquarters to hold back doing my new cards and letterhead until I am able to settle in office. Hopefully, we will get that done as quickly as possible because as you know, this is an Olympic year.
"You need to furnish your member federations with information," continued McCook, whose term expires after the 2011 World Championships.
Plans are already under way for the shipment of office furniture and other requirements from the Puerto Rico office.
McCook, a former Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president, added: "Hopefully, we would have an office in place by mid-January to serve all our members, not only from the NACACAA region, but definitely the other 200 sub-members and affiliates members of the IAAF."
