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 praises Julien Alfred, extends best wishes ahead of World Athletics Award decision
As the world awaits the announcement of the 2024 World Athletics Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, CANOC President Keith Joseph has expressed pride and support for St Lucia’s Julien Alfred, a finalist for the prestigious award alongside the USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The award decision will be revealed on December 1, marking a historic moment for the Caribbean athlete, who already secured gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m at the Paris Olympics.
Joseph highlighted the significance of Alfred’s accomplishment, noting her meteoric rise from a small island with a population of under 150,000. “For the very first time in decades, a Caribbean athlete, not from any of the larger islands, and with a population of less than 150,000, is among the finalists. We are here referring to St Lucia’s track and field gem, Julien Alfred… who has literally stormed into the sporting history of her native land,” he stated.
Joseph traced Alfred’s journey from her early promise in athletics to her dominance at the CARIFTA Games, the NCAA Division 1, the World Athletics Indoor Championships, and the Central American and Caribbean Games, describing her victory in Paris as a “feat of pure beauty, grace, incredible confidence, and impeccable timing.”
Reflecting on the history of Caribbean success in track and field, Joseph drew parallels to other trailblazing athletes from the region. He recalled Arthur Wint’s first Olympic gold for Jamaica in 1948, Hasely Crawford’s 1976 win for Trinidad and Tobago, and this year’s historic achievements with the national anthems of Dominica and St Lucia being played for the first time at the Olympics. “In Paris, two of our region’s smallest islands – Dominica and St Lucia - had their anthems played for the first time at the Olympic Games. It was track and field athletics yet again,” Joseph said.
Joseph also acknowledged the achievements of other Caribbean athletes across various disciplines, especially those who have overcome unique challenges from small island nations. “We are generally considered small, even micro in some cases, but we are aware of which nations in our midst are the smallest and the very special challenges they face,” he emphasized.
In closing, Joseph extended CANOC’s full support for Alfred as she aims to etch her name in history as the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year. “We extend best wishes to Julien Alfred in her quest to win the coveted title of World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year 2024. We certainly hope that she has the benefit of the votes of all of our members, etching her name in yet more sporting history in 2024,” he concluded.
CANOC president Keith Joseph criticizes ANOC leadership, calls for reform in Olympic representation
Keith Joseph, President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), delivered a stinging critique of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in a statement released on Tuesday, November 5. Joseph suggested that ANOC has lost its way and is no longer equipped to lead in today’s dynamic global sports environment.
Joseph's comments follow last week's ANOC General Assembly in Cascais, Portugal, where he said many attendees left with a sense of frustration and disillusionment over ANOC’s purpose and direction. Reflecting on ANOC’s original mission, Joseph noted, “ANOC was created as a forum for National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to address shared issues and make recommendations for mutual development. Yet, the current structure, dominated by IOC members, has turned these Assemblies into a platform where the IOC seems to be speaking primarily to itself.”
A primary concern raised by Joseph was the lack of NOC representation in selecting representatives for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He highlighted the disparity between athletes, who generate the Olympic Games' profits, and the limited voice of the NOCs in crucial decision-making processes, asserting that athletes deserve prize money as fair compensation.
Joseph put forth a resolution on behalf of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee (SVGOC), which reportedly gained traction, with ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg indicating support from the IOC President. Joseph expressed optimism that ANOC will take meaningful steps to address the issues raised.
The statement also underscored CANOC’s growing stature within the international sports community. CANOC was acknowledged during the Assembly by a Deloitte representative, who lauded CANOC’s Sustainability Action Plan 2025–2030. The Assembly also facilitated discussions to broaden the sports program for the Caribbean Games, further strengthening CANOC’s role in advancing Caribbean sports.
Joseph concluded his statement by reinforcing CANOC’s commitment to the Caribbean, emphasizing the importance of unity in overcoming challenges and building a legacy future generations can be proud of.
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.
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