JAAA Apologises to Hurdles Champion Roswell After Commonwealth Games Squad Omission

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has publicly apologised to Demisha Roswell, the country's newest national 100m hurdles champion, after she was excluded from the 44-athlete delegation named for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The multi-sport event is set for July 23 through August 2.

In a statement issued on Sunday, June 28 — one week after the National Championships wrapped up at the National Stadium — the governing body said Roswell's absence from the roster stemmed from her name not appearing on an early nomination list filed in March.

Roswell had turned heads at the championships with a career-best 12.40 seconds to claim her first senior national title in the event.

"The long list is a mandatory step in the entry process, and was submitted to the Commonwealth Games Committee in March 2026," the association said. "Every individual who could likely be selected, whether as athletes or team officials, MUST be on that list to qualify for the final list."

The release went on to note that when the long list was drawn up, Roswell's results had not cleared the bar for automatic placement on it. Even so, the JAAA said her standout showing and title win at the National Senior Championships merited a spot on the final squad.

"The JAAA acknowledges the oversight. We made a request for an exception but it was denied," the statement added.

Elsewhere on the roster, women's 400m world number two Dejanae Oakley earned selection although she did not take part in the National Championships. Fresh 100m national champion Shericka Jackson, meanwhile, was picked solely for the women's 4x100m relay pool.

Six athletes making their debut as national champions were named to the travelling party: Alana Reid, Stacey Ann Williams, Sanique Walker, Lloydricia Cameron, Demario Prince and Assinie Wilson.

Women's squad: Jonielle Smith, Jodean Williams, Alana Reid, Lavanya Williams, Ashanti Moore, Stacey Ann Williams, Dejanae Oakley, Leah Anderson, Kelly Ann Beckford, Adelle Tracey, Samantha Hall, Megan Simmonds, Kerrica Hill, Sanique Walker, Shiann Salmon, Ackelia Smith, Nia Robinson, Lamara Distin, Nayoka Clunis, Lloydricia Cameron, Shantae Foreman and Shericka Jackson.

Men's squad: Rohan Watson, Ackeem Blake, Nishion Ebanks, Christopher Taylor, Jevaughn Powell, Roshawn Clarke, Antonio Watson, Delano Kennedy, Zandrion Barnes, Navasky Anderson, Ralford Mullings, Fedrick Dacres, Demario Prince, Jerome Campbell, Assinie Wilson, Tajay Gayle, Jordan Turner, Romaine Beckford, Raymond Richards, Elvis Graham and Jordan Scott.

Team management: Trevor Campbell, team leader; Julette Parkes, assistant team leader; Antonio Bell, assistant team leader; Maurice Wilson, technical director; coaches Paul Francis, Julian Robinson, Michael Frater, Marlon Gayle, Kingsley Rose; Jowayne Johnson, massage therapist; and Dr Kevin Jones.