At the LVIII General Assembly of Panam Sports, the Chilean obtained 52 votes from the member countries confirming the tremendous support he has in the continent and the recognition of the great work he is doing while leading the Pan American Sports Organization.

Mario Moccia from Argentina, Jimena Saldaña from Mexico and Keith Joseph from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were elected as the three Vice Presidents. The new Executive Committee Members are Susanne Lyons from the USA, Miguel Angel Mujica from Chile, Erskine Simmons from Barbados and Juan Santiago Estrada from Nicaragua.

MIAMI, USA (December 16, 2020) — For the first time in history, a General Assembly of the Pan American Sports Organization is being held virtually. The pandemic caused Panam Sports to suspend the meeting scheduled for Cancun and hold the assembly remotely.

However, this has not been an impediment for the sport leaders from 41 member countries, nor the special guests of the Pan American Confederations, International Federations, International Olympic Committee and Host Cities, among others, from joining the Zoom and participating in two days of very profitable work.

The assembly featured reports about this difficult and unprecedented year and the entire quadrennial by Panam Sports President Neven Ilic, Secretary General Ivar Sisniega and the Commissions, as well as progress reports by the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2020, Junior Pan American Games of Cali 2021 and Pan Am Games of Santiago 2023.

However, among the most anticipated moments of this LVIII General Assembly of Panam Sports was the Election of President. Although current President Neven Ilic was the only candidate, he had to receive more than 50% of the voting Assembly to confirm his re-election.

In the end, there were no surprises. Chile’s Neven Ilic received full support by the Panam Sports General Assembly. Of the 41 member countries and of the total of 52 votes (by statute, the countries that have hosted the Games have two votes), the current President was re-elected in a unanimous decision.

“The truth is, I am very happy with the support received by all the Olympic Committees. During these more than three years we have become more united as a continent, we have learned the different needs of our member countries and we have seen important results both in sporting and also in the development of our NOCs which of course motivates us to continue working for our athletes and for the Americas. I want to congratulate all the new members that join the Executive Committee and, in turn, thank those who leave us, because their contribution was very fundamental to the success of this administration,” said Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic.

On the second day of the assembly, the results of the elections of the Members of the Executive Committee and the Vice Presidents, including the new members that are joining the Board, were announced. (View the results below.)

Faced with the challenges of the coming years, President Ilic was emphatic in pointing out that “we are very happy for what has been done and we have received the recognition of many people around the world for the great work we are doing, but there is still much to do. The return to competition after COVID-19, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, our first Cali-Valle 2021 Junior Pan American Games and the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games loom as our great challenges. But in addition, we want to continue with our development as an organization and ensure the future of our member countries, our athletes and the new generations, who are undoubtedly the future of our society.”

The next edition of the General Assembly (LXI) will be held in Santiago, Chile in October 2021.

Election Results

President: Neven Ilic Alvarez

1st Vice President: Mario Moccia (Argentina)
2nd Vice President: Jimena Saldaña (Mexico)
3rd Vice President: Keith Joseph (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Secretary General: Ivar Sisniega (Mexico)

Treasurer: Richard Peterkin (Saint Lucia)

Group 1:
Tricia Smith (Canada)
Susanne Lyons (USA)
Juan Santiago Estrada (Nicaragua)

Group 2:
Alphonso Bridgewater (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
Veda Bruno Víctor (Grenada)
Erskine Simmons (Barbados)

Group 3:
Camilo Perez (Paraguay)
Nicole Hoevertsz (Aruba)
Miguel Angel Mujica (Chile)

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS

The Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) is the leader of sport and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. We propel the development of sport and support our 41 member National Olympic Committees to inspire more participation in international competitions as well as participation of the youth to prepare the generation to come in our region.

Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organizing Committees of all regional games, Pan American Sport Confederations, International Federations (IF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to secure the success and celebration of our main event, the Pan American Games.

For the latest news and updates about Panam Sports, visit our website www.panamsports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @PanamSports

For more information, please contact:

Alejandro Goycoolea | Communications Director | alejandro@panamsports.org
+56 994 081 884

Kevin Nutley | Communications Manager | knutley@panamsports.org
+1 678 262 6612

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact us.

October 28 , 2020 – One of the most important processes in the organization of any sporting event begins today: the recruitment of volunteers for the the first Junior Pan American Games of Cali 2021.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION BEGINS AS THE “HEART” OF CALI 2021 BEGINS TO BEAT

More than 3,000 people from Colombia and around the world are expected to sign up to be a part of this historic and unforgettable continental sports festival. Register to become a Cali 2021 Volunteer and help make history today: https://www.calivalle2021.com/voluntariado/

CALI, COLOMBIA (October 28, 2020) — “Without volunteers there are no Games,” is a universal truth throughout the Olympic Movement, as volunteers have proven time and again to be essential for the organization of any sporting event at the Olympic, World, Pan American or sub-regional levels.

Volunteers have always represented the heart and soul of these events because they embody the true Olympic spirit of friendship, union and camaraderie. They bridge the gap between the youth and the adults by the mere fact of being surrounded by incredible athletes while doing their part to make the Games successful in a variety of ways. Some take time away from their studies, their jobs or their family to fulfil their dream of helping others.

Although many volunteers are from the country or city hosting the event, there are also many who travel thousands of miles just to be a part of the Olympic Movement and these incredible festivals of sport. Many of these thousands of people, both young and old, have created a strong community of volunteers who travel the world to make these great Games possible.

While it is sometimes hard and precise work, the experience of sharing moments with incredible world-class athletes and being a part of the team that delivers the Games is truly unique, and for many represents one of the most enriching and unforgettable events of their lives.

Today, people throughout the world can now register to become a part of this team of volunteers for the most important youth sports event in the world in the coming years, the Cali 2021 Junior Pan American Games. More than 3,000 people are expected to be selected to help ensure the first Junior Pan American Games in history are a success.

“Volunteers have always been the heart of each of the Pan American Games. They represent the joy, the excitement, the feeling, the desire and the motivation of athletes, coaches and leaders. They are the engine of the event. Without them, the Games could not be held. From now on I am calling on all Colombian youth and adults to sign up to be able to live this incredible experience of being a volunteer. They will have an amazing time, they will meet great athletes from throughout the continent, and with their contribution, they will help Colombia and all of the Americas create an unforgettable sports festival,” said Panam Sports President, Neven Ilic.

To be a volunteer for these historic Games, registrants must be at least 16 years old as of January 1, 2021. Those who are under the age of 18 must have parental consent to register. Registration is now open on the official website of the Cali 2021 Junior Pan American Games: https://www.calivalle2021.com/voluntariado/

HELP MAKE HISTORY HISTORY AND BE PART OF THE LEGACY OF THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT SPORTS EVENT IN THE WORLD FOR YOUNG ATHLETES IN THE COMING YEARS, THE CALI-VALLE 2021 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN GAMES.

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS

The Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) is the leader of sport and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. We propel the development of sport and support our 41 member National Olympic Committees to inspire more participation in international competitions as well as participation of the youth to prepare the generation to come in our region.

Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organizing Committees of all regional games, Pan American Sport Confederations, International Federations (IF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to secure the success and celebration of our main event, the Pan American Games.

For the latest news and updates about Panam Sports, visit our website www.panamsports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @PanamSports

For more information, please contact:

Alejandro Goycoolea | Communications Director | alejandro@panamsports.org
+56 994 081 884

Kevin Nutley | Communications Manager | knutley@panamsports.org
+1 678 262 6612

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact us.

October 21 , 2020 – It’s confirmed: Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men.

• Publication of Birmingham 2022 medal event programme confirms there are 136 medal events for women and 134 for men;
• Biggest ever integrated para sport programme also confirmed;
• A record number of mixed events including diving, swimming relays and para-athletics relays.
• Milestone marked by day of talks featuring Lady Mary Peters, Katharine Merry, Hannah Cockroft MBE, and many more female athletes.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will make global sport history by becoming the first ever major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men.

Read the full press release here.

For details on the Birmingham 2022 Medal Event Program, please refer to this document:
BIRMINGHAM 2022 MEDAL EVENT PROGRAMME

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact us.

October 12 , 2020 – A year ago on this day, the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 officially began with the Opening Ceremony at Katara Beach’s Amphitheatre. The inaugural ANOC World Beach Games took place in Doha, Qatar from 12 to 16 October 2019. More than 1,200 athletes from 97 NOCs took part. It was a fantastic five-days of competition, which engaged the local population and those around the world in thirteen exciting and youth-focused sports.

Enjoy the One Year Anniversary video showing highlights of the event.

Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell said:

“We are greatly looking forward to celebrating the anniversary of the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 and reliving some of its best moments. A lot has changed in the year since we hosted the Games. But now more than ever it is important to celebrate and promote the inspiring and joyful power of sport. The ANOC World Beach Games is about more than elite competition, it is also a global festival of sport and culture that unites NOCs from all five continents.”

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact us.

October 8, 2020 – The Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (BOCGA) will have new headquarters by early next year. The two-story Olympic House, located on 1.17 acres of land within the Marion Jones Sporting Complex, is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed by February 2021. The BOCGA has secured a 99-year lease on the property from the Government of Belize through the National Sports Council.

While BOCGA has been earmarking funds over the years for much-needed headquarters, the majority of the investment was made possible through funds accessed from the Pan American Sports Organization. Strengthening the infrastructure of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) is one of the objectives of Panam Sports. Administrative headquarters is the foundation for proper administration, and Panam Sports is committed to supporting in this area in order to foster growth among federations, with the expectation that countries can then develop better programs for coaches and athletes. 

The spacious building is approximately 3000 square feet per floor. The ground floor will be used primarily for meeting space, and is designated specifically for use by national federations for seminars, courses and meetings. The second level will house the BOCGA Administrative offices, including a meeting room for the Executive Board. There will also be an open office area that can accommodate individual desks for up to six personnel. The structure is designed for further expansion, and can accommodate a third floor for additional BOCGA departments and activities in the future. 

The building has also been designed to be as green and energy efficient as economically practicable. The Main Contractor is Chris Construction and the Supervising Engineer is Allen Engineering. The construction of the building is well underway, and is expected to be close to completion by the end of the year. BOCGA intends to move its headquarters there by February 2021.

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact us.

September 29, 2020 – The Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (BOCGA) is pleased to see the progress of the newly constructed Andrew Faber Sporting and Cultural Complex, which is now near to completion. This project was a collaboration between the BOCGA and the Government of Belize through the National Sports Council (NSC). 

The BOCGA was able to provide support to the NSC in the approximate amount of $200,000. Funding came from The Olympamerica Program, which is financed with resources from the IOC Olympic Solidarity fund. NSC contributed over $60,000 in cash, as well as in-kind assistance. As a part of the collaborative process, the NSC identified the location, and provided personnel to plant grass and complete other works required to prepare the area. 

The Olympamerica Program is a new opportunity through which the Pan American Sports Organization strengthens and supports its member National Olympic Committees (NOCs). BOCGA was required to submit the project to Panam Sports for evaluation prior to approval.

Belize was fortunate to be able to access the funds through this program. The funds are specifically earmarked for social development through sports in depressed communities, those with low resources and less possibilities of economic growth. The Andrew Faber Sporting and Cultural Complex, located at the intersection of Faber’s Road and Singh Street in Belize City, will benefit the communities of Port Loyola and Collet.

At the ground-breaking ceremony on January 17, 2019, Mr. Hilberto Martinez, President of the BOCGA, gave brief remarks on the importance of the Complex to the communities. Mr. Ian Jones, Director of the National Sports Council, also gave remarks, with the key address delivered by Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

The Complex is located near Grace Primary School, and features a mini football field. It can also be adapted to a multipurpose court for use by other disciplines. It features a concrete stage, concrete bleachers with bathrooms, as well as a concession area. The National Sports Council will be responsible for its maintenance.

The BOCGA expects that the facility will be officially opened soon, and representatives from the Pan American Sports Organization will be invited as special guests of the Opening Ceremony. Due to the current travel limitations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the date for this event has not yet been set. BOCGA is thankful for this important economic contribution from Panam Sports and the Olympamerica Program.

For more information on the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, please contact any of our Executives.