The highly anticipated election for the presidency of Panam Sports culminated on the first day of the LXII General Assembly, with current president Neven Ilic securing another four-year term. Ilic, who has been at the helm of Panam Sports since 2017, triumphed over his opponent, Keith Joseph, President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and second vice-president of Panam Sports.
In a decisive result, Ilic garnered 37 votes, while Joseph received 16, ensuring Ilic's leadership for the 2024-2028 period. This marks Ilic's third consecutive term, solidifying his role as the driving force behind the Pan American Olympic movement.
“I want to thank all those who supported me, for allowing me to finish this project. These elections are over and I can say that we are a great group. Everyone is part of this project. Of course, I thank my friend Keith Joseph. We will continue working so that the Americas remain a stellar continent,” Ilic said in his victory speech.
Despite his defeat, Joseph's campaign highlighted his experience within the Olympic movement and his vision for elevating Caribbean and American sport on the global stage. However, the majority of voters remained committed to Ilic, who has overseen significant developments in Panam Sports during his tenure, including the expansion of the Pan American Games and increased support for member nations.
In addition to the presidential election, the assembly also elected new Vice Presidents and members of the Executive Board. Veda Bruno Victor from Grenada, Camilo Pérez from Paraguay, and Sarah Hirshland from the United States were elected as the organization's Vice Presidents.
The assembly further solidified its leadership structure with the election of Executive Board members for the 2024-2028 period, ensuring broad representation across the Americas. Among the newly elected board members are Mario Garcia (Mexico), Tricia Smith (Canada), Damaris Young (Panama), Alfred Emmanuel (Saint Lucia), Dennis Knight (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Roberto Richards (Cuba), Nicole Hoevertsz (Aruba), Mario Moccia (Argentina), and Jorge Delgado (Ecuador).
As Ilic begins his third term as president, the focus now shifts to his continued efforts to elevate the stature of Pan American sports on the global stage. Meanwhile, Joseph's defeat does not diminish his influence in regional sports, and he will continue to play a significant role in the Caribbean sporting community.
With new leadership cemented, Panam Sports is set for another dynamic four years, with a fresh emphasis on further growth and collaboration across the Americas.
CANOC President Keith Joseph commends Turks and Caicos for commitment to sport as a tool for national development
CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees) President Keith Joseph has praised the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands for its strong commitment to using sport as a key pillar of the nation’s development strategy. Joseph's remarks came after a productive meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in Providenciales, signaling the start of CANOC’s week of activities in the country.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services; Permanent Secretary Chery-Ann Jones; Director of Sports Keisha Taylor; Deputy Director of Sports Amin McCartney; Deputy Permanent Secretary Jarrett Forbes; and Alvin Parker, Deputy Director of the TCI Sports Commission. CANOC representatives at the meeting included General Secretary Brian Lewis and Second Vice President John Abramson Jr.
During the discussions, Minister Taylor and her team outlined various initiatives aimed at integrating sports into the nation’s overall development framework. Topics included government support for national sports federations, the importance of sports in schools, coaching development, and the potential for sport tourism to boost the economy. The conversation also touched on gender equality in sport, a global issue that remains relevant to local development efforts.
Joseph commended the government’s efforts, noting the key role sport can play in youth development. "We are very pleased with the Turks and Caicos’ proactive approach in using sport as a tool for addressing some of the challenges facing today’s youth. It’s encouraging to see a comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on competitive success but on using sport as a means to build character and develop the nation’s children into well-rounded individuals."
Minister Taylor highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives to engage youth in sports, emphasizing their broader goal of fostering commitment to the well-being of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sport is seen not only as a path to healthier lifestyles but as a vehicle for national pride and community development.
The Turks and Caicos Islands also aim to capitalize on their natural beauty and strategic location to enhance sport tourism, a growing sector within the region. The government's vision includes developing policies and programs that position the islands as a premier destination for sporting events, training camps, and international conferences.
CANOC expressed its appreciation to the government for their continued support of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially for hosting the meetings of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the CANOC Annual Workshop and General Assembly, and the first-ever CANOC Caribbean Sports Awards Gala.
Joseph reaffirmed CANOC’s commitment to working closely with the Turks and Caicos Islands to further enhance sport development in the region, underscoring the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices across Caribbean nations.
With the government’s strong backing and CANOC’s ongoing support, the Turks and Caicos Islands are poised to make significant strides in both national development through sport and sport tourism in the coming years.
Olympic champions Julien Alfred and Roje Stona among nominees for Caribbean Sports Personality of the Year at inaugural CANOC Sports Awards
Olympic champions Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and Jamaica's Roje Stona are among the nominees for Caribbean Sports Personality of the Year at the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards, which will be held on October 19, 2024, in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. This event will celebrate the Caribbean’s top athletes, teams, and sports leaders, and will also feature the IOC Sustainability Awards, highlighting the region's commitment to sustainable sports.
The CANOC Sports Awards, the first of its kind, have been organized by the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) to honour athletes who have represented the region at the highest levels of competition. The event also recognizes teams, sports administrators, and media professionals for their contributions to the advancement of Caribbean sports.
Godfrey Been, President of the Turks and Caicos Commonwealth Games Association, expressed his pride in hosting such a significant event. “It is an honour for the Turks and Caicos Islands to host the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards,” Been said. “This event not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of our region's athletes and sports leaders, but also strengthens the bond of unity that sports fosters across the Caribbean. We are proud to play a pivotal role in recognizing the excellence that transcends our sporting communities and showcases the Caribbean on the global sporting stage.”
Alfred, who made history as Saint Lucia’s first Olympic gold medalist in 2024, has been nominated in the Female Sports Personality of the Year category. She will compete against other global track stars such as Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Dominican Republic's Marileidy Paulino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Shafiqua Maloney, and Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts.
In the Male Sports Personality of the Year category, Jamaican discus thrower Stona, who also claimed Olympic gold in Paris, joins an elite field of nominees, including British Virgin Islands' 400m hurdles star Kyron McMaster, Grenada’s decathlete Lindon Victor, Cuban wrestling legend Mijain Lopez Nunez, Trinidad and Tobago’s 200m standout Jereem Richards, and Puerto Rican wrestler Sebastian Rivera.
In addition to individual honours, the CANOC Sports Awards will also recognize the best male and female teams from across the region. Notable nominees include the Dominican Republic Volleyball Team, the Barbados Triathlon Team, and the Curaçao Baseball Team. Julien Alfred has also been nominated for the Caribbean Breakthrough Award, further cementing her remarkable achievements in 2024.
Other categories, including the Caribbean Sports Media Award and the Caribbean Distinguished Service Award, will recognize those who have played significant roles behind the scenes, ensuring that Caribbean athletes continue to excel on the international stage.
As the event approaches, the inaugural CANOC Sports Awards promises to be a historic celebration of Caribbean sporting excellence. Athletes like Alfred and Stona are at the forefront of a new generation of Caribbean talent that continues to shine on the global stage.
Ian Forbes appointed chairman of new INSPORTS board
The Honourable Ian Forbes has been appointed Chairman of the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), as announced by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange. Forbes will lead a newly constituted board of directors, comprised of individuals with a diverse range of expertise, tasked with guiding the development and expansion of sports in Jamaica over the next two years.
Forbes, widely regarded for his contributions to Jamaican sports, will be supported by a dedicated team of professionals, including Deputy Chairman Howard Chambers and experienced figures such as Ronald Anderson, Dr. Michelle Holt, and Alan Beckford. Their collective experience spans a broad spectrum of disciplines, from sports management to medical expertise, positioning INSPORTS for a strong push in grassroots and community sports development.
Under Forbes’ leadership, the board will focus on advancing programs aimed at fostering athletic talent, with an emphasis on inclusivity across Jamaica. This vision is supported by key members such as Glen Nelson, Emile Spence, and Shirley McLean Brown, who bring their own unique strengths to the team. The board also benefits from the administrative expertise of Julian Patrick and the strategic insights of Florette Blackwood and Suzzette Ison, both of whom have a long-standing history of contributing to Jamaica’s sports landscape.
INSPORTS remains a critical body in Jamaica’s sporting ecosystem, particularly in its role of supporting youth sports and less mainstream disciplines. Forbes and his team are expected to work closely with athletes, coaches, and local communities to create opportunities that will further solidify Jamaica’s presence on the global sporting stage.
Minister Grange also used the occasion to announce additions to the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), with Florette Blackwood, Leslie Harrow, and Newton Amos being added to its board. The SDF, led by Chairman Leslie Campbell, continues to play a pivotal role in funding national sports programs and developing sporting infrastructure across Jamaica.
With Forbes at the helm of INSPORTS and new members adding their strengths to the SDF, Jamaica’s sport sector is poised for continued growth. Grange concluded, “Both the Institute of Sports and the Sports Development Foundation are key to ensuring Jamaica remains a dominant force in global sports. With this leadership in place, we are confident that we are on the right path to achieving our goals.”
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