Keith Wellington responds to Stephen Francis | SportsMax Zone 

Bwooy, respect to Ricardo! He takes a while to get to his points 👉 He is, however, pretty much on point where....transparency is concerned 😃

Ricardo you hit the nail exactly on its head.. period ..well said.

JAAA & transparency shouldn't be used in the same sentence... JAAA has more policies than the parliament and the White House

Thank you coach Francis. You always speak truth and we thank you for that.

You can have all the qualifications that doesn’t make you fit for the job. The quality of the decisions you make is key . I haven seen many people with the qualifications to do the job but lack the ability to do it. JAA takes no accountability.

Too mucn double standards at the JAAA.....friend and combulo's patty shop

Ricardo Chambers is on point…Jaaa withholding the names of the members on the committee is total stupidness!

Ricardo Chambers love the mix up issi !😂

Sir Riley should take notes on how to respond civilly. Yesterday’s response was a tragedy. JAAA take the point that u guys need more transparency

The newest committee members like Sherone and Frater comes in and they have just fall in line and are not making an impact to push for things like written policies.

As a former National Selections Committee member of the NAAA TT, I can say that these issues seem to be verrrry shady indeed. The NAAA TT national teams selections policy is well know and public. The makeup of the Selection Committee is publicised. These issues seem designed to allow for the type of leeway that promotes insecurity and favouritism.

from them can't disclose the puma deal and why they can't take the Adidas this just goes to show that the jaaa is riddle with corruption and favoritism

A patty shop dem a run dung a JAAA

I can’t lie, this series is great content. We need a rebuttal from Francis

Yes Ricardo, The JAAA NEEDS ALOT MORE TRANSPARENCY.

I still believe Stephen is saying, if Jamaica fails to qualify for the men’s 4x400 then the JAAA is to be blamed. But them still listen to Franno and and are now running a 4x400 at the Jamaica trials!

I think all track clubs should have a representative on the committee to avoid all this madness

Indeed, a lot to be cleaned up in JAAA, drain the swamp starting with Maurice Wilson. Why the Tracey case paused, they should continue in full force because so many unethical practices would come to light...im sure a lot of athletes who experienced such injustice would come forward. Im ready to testify against Maurice Wilson, first hand account

“Riveting response”; Ricardo you are something else 😂😂😂 All I know that this dolly house that the JAAA is keeping re: transparency will not last much longer; either it will be destroyed from within or destroyed from without

Thank you Ricardo. You've summarized the issues really well. The JAAA is way too opaque and does not take accountability.

Yes Ricardo youre the voice we need, continue to speak and ask the right questions.

We can disagree with Mr. Riley, without dismissing his credentials. The man is not just someone they picked up off the streets. He has a long history of working in the sport. That being said, much of what Francis demands is beyond reasonable.

These guys are incompetent. All they do is wait for big championship to gather up other coaches athletes and treat them like school children Franno is the first to resist. Now if they want to control athletes spend money like GB or Netherlands

Very good journalism Sportsmax. While I don't agree with all the things Mr. Francis said, at least his words have forced the JAAA to make a change. I hope other media houses demand the needed changes-starting with the call for transparency- of the JAAA. Maybe we should always have relays at the end of trials to give us some much needed relay practice.

These men are destroying the JAAA.. instead of learning g from what Stephen said they are rushed out to throw temper tantrum

Hats off to Sir Keith...did an amazing job responding.

Fun fact, The jaaa is doing exactly what Fransis suggested, so where was Riley with his suggestion, Riley always behave as if he is the brightest of them all and loves to read out what he has accomplished with regards to his certification, man move a go weh you haven't accomplished shit as coach compared to Francis, a matter of fact you are an average coach, not even in the top 10 at high school level for me... you mention about first local coach to coach a jumper to the world championship, wasn't that the UWI coach that's now at Steths, same one Riley and the jaaa don't like the first to do that, dem man deh a top jumps coach this man has done it at both junior and senior with medals to show, the KC and JC jumps coach are all ahead of Riley aswell, Riley just have friends in the media that love calling his name that's all.

All me know actions speak louder than argument!

Spoken like a true principal. Well done SIR..

Too much Committees and boards in Jamaica that are just old boys club need more competent and younger people on these committees. JAAA, JFF, JCA are all old boys club.

Ricardo you are brilliant

Well said Ricardo and lance kudos to both of you there is a video that Dr Greg did alongside with former Jamaica Olympian world champion Mr Danny McFarland they were discussing these same issues Mr Danny McFarland had the same view as you Ricardo transparency in the JAAA He also mentioned that Franco a the man he has the knowledge and the JAAA need to listen to him

Management in Jamaica sees transparency as limiting their power!!!

He’s a well renowned genius 💯 %

People people stop oonuh nonsense. There is no team in senior athletics. The team phenomenon ended with Champs. The only people who believe in team athletics are the fans. Franno, Mills and all the other senior coaches have no intentions of sending their athletes for relay qualification. They make no money from relays. Franno said that. We have to remember that in the past franno has pulled some of his athletes from relays because they have the Diamond league right after the Olympics or wolrd games. There is nothing the jaaa can do about it.

💯 Ricardo!!! You couldn't have said it any better. If they had it right, the documents would speak, and they didn't have to say anything or come out name calling.

Not Transparent because JAAA doesn’t want to be held accountable 💯👌🏽

I can respect Keith Wrllington's approach to addressing what Stephen Francis had stated. He was more mature in his response even though he was dodging questions. Now we're really sure that the JAAA is shrouded in secrecy because both men couldn't really give clear and concise insight into how the JAAA operates. They need a transparent committee instead of a secret society.

This interviewer is one of the best anywhere any country!

Who is this David Riley guy and which senior athlete him coach as he seems to be friends of the jaaa, he is always on the teams yet he has no athlete making it to that level, too much politics. Why Coach Francis and Coach Mills not one of the Jaaa advisors aren't they two of the best coaches in the world. Leave this high school coaches for the junior athletes.

Well Keith Wellington certainly sounded more poised & capable of articulating his POV with decorum compared to David Riley. It’s interesting they seemed to push back more on Keith’s ‘flawed genius’ & ‘broken clock is right twice a day’ than the ad hominem attack of David calling Franno an “ass”. Makes no sense. (It’s like jumping on 1 man for saying “heck”. When the other said “motherfucker”)😂

The problem is JA poor planning, preparation and the individual approach to track and field. The countries that do well have a pool of athletes in training and getting support knowing the events are coming up. Barring injuries they are set to go. Too much parochial politics and little preparation.

I totally agree with Ricardo Chambers.

The JAAA is lock of transparency and need to get their act together for the betterment of the sports and the people of Jamaica if we going to move forward as a nation, they have too much things hiding

JAAA needs to address the issue of a lack of transparency 100%

Great job Keith Wellington for responding in such a positive way. Instead of investing too much emotion in his response he was very man about.

Too much wanna be experts at the JAAA TALK THE TRUTH STEPHEN FRANCIS

We are too childish... people speak their minds... man free!!

I've grown up over the decades, thinking Jamaica 🇯🇲 athletics was among the very best in the 🌎 Have standards slipped admin wise?! Are coaches more selfish?

It doesnt matter what coaching certification a coach have from the coaches not doing a good job in helping athletes to perform well at senior level they must accept the criticism from the better coaches as stephen francis and glen mills the two best coach in the country

Stephen Francis wants the JAAA to be renamed...JHSAA = Jamaica High School Athletic Association.They should not be involved in senior athletics.,,,lol

100% correct. Transparency is non-existent, which is a problem and Stephen is correct. They keep making stupid decisions because no standard or guideline is transparent

I am hopeful after listening to the entire conversation. Jamaicans have to understand that not all disagreements are bad. Eventually, the better ideas will rise to the top. Let the WI cricket team be a cautionary tale to everyone. We fell from grace not because of talent but because our cricketing administrations failed us. Don’t let this happen to athletics in Jamaica. Jamaicans need to take off the muzzle and agitate like nobody’s business to continuously improve the governance of track and field in the country.

Stephen had a right to call out those 2 and they didn’t prove him wrong. 2 very unprofessional representatives of the JAAA. Their incompetence didn’t allow them to address the issues Stephen brought to the table, instead, they got personal and attacked the coach. Hence, at the moment, they are further away from any resolution.

We have reached a ceiling because we are not transparent

Here we go again... "I would rather not say..." why the eternal secrecies?

Mr Riley made straight disrespectful comments bout frano dis man come with sarcasms e.g. flawed genius mek dem gway set of frauds bout dem nuh caustic toward frano it's caz they shown up 4 wat they r

No matter what is said the team selection to the world relays were embarrassing and the selection process stupit

Love ricardo man ❤

Speeeeeeeaaak!😮😂❤ 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

Hiiii as professional you need to address the relevant and stop yap yapping about Stephen Francis. You all need to do your job effectively and stop chatting rubbish

So I am a master on paper, but my work got to reflect that I have came to the knowledge that papers does not perform work, you got to get in the trenches and produce positive results These guys get caught up with papers and they are not productive It is better to get someone who produces good results than talking about how qualified they are!

So let me try to understand this concept: hide the process from coaches and athletes and let them not be concerned about qualifying for championships,Are these guys for real? Communication is the key for any team to succeed, why the secrecy, Who does it help? These guys crazy!

Wellington views are that of the JAAA there’s no separation He was trying to make a distinction. He was caught and he tried hard to dodge but the public has figured out who and what the JAAA is all about.

Lance, doesn't love the pace, he loves the war😂😂😂 why do you f with the man about the clock 😂😂😂

just do not get personal about it

Keith Wellington and all the other High School level people should do the honourable thing and step down.

Why when JA athletics is not on the ups does it seem that Jamaica athletics is unraveling at the seams.

Its true Maas Stephen.....its a boys club ...an principals must lead dem schools....

On paper you may sound good Mr Riley, however you can't seriously want to compare yourself to Coach Francis. You're no way near his level or in his league.

Stephen Francis was spot on as highlighted by Keith Wellington. His dislike for Stephen Francis was obvious, terms like flawed genius and clock broken clock being right twice a day is indicative of this, his puerile attempt to explain away his obvious dislike for Stephen Francis, when confronted by a competent and experienced journalist like Lance Whitaker his silliness was highlighted. Stephen Francis is a genius, not to be likened to a broken clock. Stephen Francis gets the time right almost the entire day, just check his record. The same cannot be said for Keith Wellington.

These JAAA heads needs to know we the people suffered before Stephen Francis, how many athletes from Jamaica other than bolt and Veronica that won a gold medal in the Olympics that was not coach by a Stephen Francis? JAAA are Baskin in stephen Francis glory. JAAA please prove yourself foe once.

Ricardo... TRANSPARENCY Yes! but it is a Jamaican problem... not just JAAA!

“If there are problems” there are huge glaring problems. Smh

Sportsmax now please interview Mr relay "eat a food"

I'm hearing David Riley's response a second time around, and now it sounds like blah, blah, blah

The jaaa buh understand them owna workings....

The question that mi always a ask is? Why won't they resign?! If they are so qualified and they are doing such a bad job . Resign no man ?! No matter what them nah resign. Them love the power and the perks. Give someone a chance to fail too man. RESIGN.

...Lance is on the...same...tip 😮😅

One thing we all cannot dispute, they are all running around like headless chickens trying to get the men’s 4x400m relay team qualified. Arthur Wint et al, must be turning in their graves.

A lot of words and no substance Keith. You need to address the direct issue at hand, yes, the same issue that Steven pointed out.

Keith and David from the JAAA are clowns!!!

Lance, why are you pushing this war, when the men are using diplomatic ways to deal with this situation? Just like how u push for Asafa not to get the statue.

Having all that qualifications n still males no sense is like not having them .. what's the sense !! Boy plz

The JAAA and its selectors did nothing wrong based on my observation. They reached out to the athletes who were on the top performance list. The JAAA did their best in trying to convince these athletes to represent us, trying to have formidable relay teams to compete at the World Relays. The genius is aware that his athlete who ran the first leg of the failed 4x400m team ran a split of 47.5 which launched Jamaica backwards in the said race, which led to the other runners being at a disadvantage to even catch the other back marker teams. The genius is now trying unsuccessfully to deflect the blame from his athlete's forgettable delivery of the first leg. The number of rejected selections has put the JAAA in a bad light which in all honesty, they do not deserve. The JAAA in its quest to maintain its modesty and to free itself from controversy has not come out to vilify the athlete's poor performance, which I think is commendable on their part, (Coach Riley had alluded to it, but not the JAAA as a body). I think this will be a lesson well learnt from all stakeholders of Jamaica's Track and Field; that as a country we must make every effort to field our best relay teams for the World relays in order to avoid fiascos of this nature. I pray that after all the accusations and the rebuttals to the accusations, all will be at peace and continue to work in unison for the benefit of the country'. Say what you will about the JAAA, I must say over the past decade they have tried their best to be more professional in their approaches and endeavour to act in the best interest of Jamaica's Track and Field.

Start a new club J4a

I always get a “eat a fuud” mentality over there at the JAAA. Year after year, iz a bag a fooliniss ova deh. Election time is coming up later on this year, right ❓👀 Anyway, once again, athletes, agents, coaches and the JAAA are to be blamed, but mostly the JAAA. Simple 🤷🏾‍♂️ Make the necessary changes now, and put everything in writing and make them available to the public. A weh unnu a hide❓🤷🏾‍♂️

Me cant stand Keith WELLINGTON one BiAS Man i prefer David Riley