CANOC outgoing president anticipates eager, truthful elections as a successor is chosen

The outgoing president of the Caribbean Affiliation of Nationwide Olympic Committees (CANOC) Brian Lewis is anticipating a eager and truthful election when members of the group vote for his successor on Saturday.

Lewis, who won’t be searching for re-election to that put up, pledged his full assist for normal secretary of St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee Keith Joseph, CANOC’s secretary normal for the previous 4 years, to hold the baton for the 2022-2026 time period.

Joseph, on whose group Lewis is competing for the secretary normal put up, will go up towards Jamaica Olympic Affiliation president Christopher Samuda on day two on the affiliation’s twentieth Annual Common Meeting, on the Hyatt Regency Resort in Port of Spain.

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“The dynamism and vibrancy of CANOC have now resulted in a keenly contested election and that’s a part of the expansion and vibrancy of CANOC and the transformation of CANOC I respect the democracy and sit up for a eager and truthful contest and the place the chips lay, they lay on the finish,” Lewis mentioned forward of the Common Meeting.

He will likely be going up towards Antigua and Barbuda’s Cliff Williams on Smauda’s group for the place of CANOC secretary normal.

The put up of first vp will likely be contested by John Abramson of the US Virgin Islands and Carson Ebanks of the Cayman Islands; Edith Cox of the Turks and Caicos is unopposed for the put up of treasurer; and Ytannia Wiggins of Barbados, Alain Soreze of Guadeloupe, Bruce Farara of Montserrat, and Alan Sharpe of Belize are vying to fill the 2 government member spots.

Responding to questions on why he had determined to contest the secretary normal put up after being in CANOC’s prime place, Lewis defined that he was doing what was finest for the group.

“That was … based mostly on conversations with the presidential candidate [Joseph] when it comes to placing collectively his slate, and I’m supporting him. No matter he has requested of me, I’ll do; I’m a group participant,” he mentioned.

“I’m not one for egos and I’m right here to serve, and if I’m requested to serve in any specific class or place by someone who I belief, I’ll do it.”

Reflecting on the CANOC’s achievements since he was elected in 2018, Lewis mentioned the organisation had made important strides.

He praised the outgoing government who he mentioned had “labored onerous and with extraordinary dedication” to perform a lot all through the COVID-19 pandemic and financial challenges, chief amongst which was the profitable internet hosting of the inaugural Caribbean Video games held June 29-July 3 in Guadeloupe.

The five-day occasion, which had initially been scheduled for June 30 to July 4, 2021, however was curtailed by the pandemic, featured greater than 800 athletes from 29 international locations competing in seven sports activities.

Lewis mentioned the chief had established a voice for CANOC in main points in international sport, together with gender fairness and sexism in addition to racism and the Black Lives Matter motion.

“We’re at some extent the place we’ve got constructed on the legacy of individuals like Steve Stoute and former CANOC management and … however the challenges and obstacles, we’ve got positioned CANOC in a vibrant, sustainable place, extra market-driven, and we’re targeted on digital transformation,” he mentioned.

Lewis added that he was additionally pleased with the unity displayed by members “when the chips have been down” and Guadeloupe encountered monetary hurdles, to make sure that the Caribbean Video games in that French-speaking territory got here off.

He additionally mirrored that CANOC had emerged as an internationally-recognised member of the worldwide Olympic motion and had gained further recognition from a number of worldwide sports activities our bodies.

Along with electing a brand new president and government board, delegates at CANOC’s Common Meeting will vote to determine on the host metropolis of the second version of the Caribbean Video games to be held in 2025.

Representatives from 30 Nationwide Olympic Committees and Commonwealth Video games Associations within the area are anticipated to attend the Common Meeting that started on Friday.

-CMC