Jamaica's Jermaine Delattibudiere Wins General Secretary Post at Pan-American Draughts Confederation

Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Delattibudiere, who heads the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA), has been voted in as general secretary of the Pan-American Draughts and Checkers Confederation (PAMDCC). The result hands Jamaica a place on the confederation's administrative committee for the very first time and positions the country at the heart of regional governance during the 2026-2030 cycle.

In the role, Delattibudiere will be tasked with drawing up the PAMDCC planning programme for 2026-2030, handling formal communication with the World Draughts Federation (WDF) and the body's 28 member nations, and supervising the technical rules covering every Pan-American competition.

"The role is about quality administration, transformation, service and systems," Delattibudiere was quoted as saying in a press release following the vote. "PAMDCC grew from four to 28 countries. The next step is to build on existing structures, launch more youth programmes, improve hosting standards, and have a high-quality, transparent administration to enhance growth. Jamaica is ready to help lead that work."

Delegates threw their support behind the senior police officer, pointing to Jamaica's renewed compliance and its dedication to development. A number of fellow competitors and Pan-American representatives also welcomed the news, alongside word that the next Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championships will be staged in Jamaica.

Delattibudiere indicated that the priority now is to hold on to the island's international standing in Pool Checkers 8×8 draughts-64 while lifting its performance in 10×10 Draughts-100.

At the 24th PAMDCC General Assembly, Curaçao's Clifton Agata was returned to the presidency by acclamation, and almost every board member kept their seat. The sitting First Youth Commissioner, Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Ramsundar, opted to surrender his post in order to challenge for the top job, but was defeated by a sizeable margin. Delattibudiere's win as general secretary brought to a close Curaçao's 12-year run controlling the Secretariat.

Delattibudiere, who took over as JDA president in June 2025, travelled to Suriname as Jamaica's lone representative at the 23rd Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championship after logistical issues forced the association to trim what had been a planned four-member contingent.

With advice from Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president Christopher Samuda, and working alongside PAMDCC president Agata, the JDA settled all of its membership obligations through 2026, locking in Jamaica's vote at the assembly.

In addition, the 2028 Pan-American 10×10 International Draughts Championship, branded "Reggae Draughts International", will take place in Montego Bay, St James. The tournament will include senior, women's and under-20 categories and will function as the official qualifying event for the 2029 WDF International 10×10 Draughts World Championships in the Netherlands.

Jamaica's hosting bid was put together with input from Samuda and will be delivered under the JOA's governance frameworks, with support from various government and non-governmental partners. The proposal pointed to continental rotation and the demand for a major 10×10 championship in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Pan-American Championship is a sizeable affair, normally running for a week and drawing between 150 and 200 participants to the island.

"Hosting is not just about one week; it's about several months of planning and preparation. It's about hitting the ground running to ramp up the JDA Draughts in Schools Programme in line with a good model used in Trinidad and Tobago, leaving infrastructure for the future," Delattibudiere shared.

"When we host in 2028, every federation will leave with tools to grow youth participation at home. That's how we answer the challenge of social media and keep draughts relevant," he added.