The old boys' club concept disturbed federation leaders over the years. With the obvious battle going on between long-time President Sir Arlington Butler and his former tight buddies on the executive board, certain federation heads smelt blood and thought it the appropriate time to push aside the old guard.
But, all sides dug in and a protracted fight which bounced in and out of the courts ensued. A year and four months later with the courts various rulings ultimately coming down on the side of the executive nucleus, elections were held. Butler who seemed determined to frustrate the will of the majority in the National Tennis Centre on Thursday night, relented when it became clear that about 95% of those present wanted an elections, left with the list of submitted delegates and those eligible to vote.
The new chairman simply coordinated a new listing and the meeting went on with the Rev. Enoch Backford being elected to replace Butler. There are still problems in the air. A few federation heads, softball, athletics, swimming and soccer are unhappy with a number of aspects surrounding the executive board of the BOA.
Then there are the majority of federation leaders who are adamant about the BOA getting back to normal and beyond the controversy which dragged the organization into the mud since November of 2006.
Also, there are those in the executive nucleus who felt they were correct in all of their dealings all along and feel not guilt.
This is the time for healing though.
All of the court battles should end. Those who didn't get their way ought to acknowledge that democracy was in play because the executive nucleus was able to hold the meeting when Butler could not get any judge to grant a stay.
This is a time for healing.
Butler sensing something that he ought to have concluded long ago, opted not to offer for re-election. There would have been much peace in the valley long ago, if he had come to that decision when it became obvious he no longer had the support of any executive but one.
Nevertheless, the BOA is at this crossroad and so are the federations.
They should collectively take the one road to continued peace.
This is indeed a time for healing.
