National hurdles champion Deisha Roswell left off Jamaica Commonwealth Games team after JAAA listing error

National 100-metre hurdles champion Deisha Roswell will not join Jamaica’s Commonwealth Games squad after the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association failed to include her on a team list submitted months before the national championships.

Independent sports agent Errol Waters told TVJ that the error reflects an outdated administrative model built for amateur sport and ill-suited to today’s professional athletes. Federations often require squads well ahead of major championships, but Jamaica held its national trials in June while the association had already filed names in March. Waters argued that every athlete planning to compete at those trials should have been placed on the initial list so trial results could determine who travels.

The JAAA has apologised, described the situation as an oversight, and sought an exception for Roswell. That request was denied. The association also said performance metrics would be revised to better recognise rising athletes. Roswell has said the apology cannot replace the years of training and sacrifice she invested to earn a place on the team.

Waters said the cost to athletes can be severe, noting Roswell is unsponsored and would have used the Games to gain visibility with major brands. He maintained she has met every selection requirement, including winning the national title, and called the fix a simple name swap with time still available before the Games open on 23 July in Scotland. He urged stronger pressure on Commonwealth organisers to allow replacements when administrative mistakes occur, and suggested legal action or even withholding the team if no remedy is granted. He added that the Court of Arbitration for Sport could intervene, though that route may move too slowly.

TVJ invited a JAAA representative to respond on air, but none was available at the time of the interview.