DSP Jermaine Delattibudiere resigns as JDA president

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Delattibudiere has resigned as president of the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA). In a recent letter to the organisation’s executive, Delattibudiere said his decision stemmed from ongoing internal friction and a reassessment of the JDA's operational dynamics. The senior cop said he believed stepping aside provided the JDA its best opportunity to foster unity and focus on future development. He added that by relinquishing his presidential duties, he has cleared a path for a successor around whom the organisation can coalesce. Justice of the Peace (JP) Mikoyan Robinson has since been installed as the active president. However, Delattibudiere will remain as general secretary of the Pan-American Draughts & Checkers Association (PAMDCC). Delattibudiere said that while his passion for draughts remained undiminished, persistent dissatisfaction, criticism, and limited cooperation from certain factions within the JDA membership created an environment where effective leadership was no longer sustainable. He stressed that leadership was fundamentally a form of public service, and that preserving the integrity and progress of the sport must always take precedence over personal positions or individual discord. Delattibudiere’s tenure marked a significant period of modernisation and institutional restoration for Jamaican draughts. Upon taking office, the administration inherited a severely resource-constrained organisation burdened by nearly a decade of outstanding regulatory and administrative arrears. Under his guidance, the JDA resolved critical filings with the Companies Office of Jamaica, securing its legal name and corporate standing, while establishing essential operational infrastructure including a formal Letter of Good Standing to facilitate corporate sponsorships and banking relationships. On the international stage, the JDA achieved historic milestones during Delattibudiere's presidency. Jamaica earned membership in the PAMDCC and successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2028 PAMDCC Pan-American Championships. Furthermore, the association attained provisional membership in the World Draughts Federation (FMJD), reopened channels with the International Draughts Federation, and gained acceptance into the World Checkers and Draughts Federation. Diplomatic ties were forged with the Chinese Draughts Association, creating pathways for Jamaican players to compete globally with fully covered accommodations. Domestically, the sport experienced dramatic growth and heightened public visibility. The JDA introduced modern branding, including official logos, uniform jerseys, executive badges, a website, and active media channels, leading to record coverage across radio, television, and print media. The association expanded into youth and community spaces through partnership programmes with youth clubs, TruFun Play, and institutional endorsements from the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force. Under his watch, the JDA staged the second-largest national tournament in its history, celebrated its first female National Champion and National Youth Champion, acquired specialised equipment including an inverter generator and International Draughts boards, and achieved record international team representations.