Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association explained

Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
Size:150
Country:Belize
Code:BIZ
Created:1967
Recognized:1968
Association:PASO
Headquarters:1 King Street,
Belize City, Belize
President:Hilberto Martinez
Secretary General:Allan Sharp

The Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, formerly the British Honduras Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, (IOC code: BIZ) is the National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Belize, responsible for the country's representation at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

History

The British Honduras Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association was founded in 1967 and recognised that same year by the Commonwealth Games Federation, which had previously recognised the British Honduras Amateur Athletic Association (now the Belize Athletic Association). It was recognised the following year by the International Olympic Committee. In 1973, its name was changed to the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.

The Association's most recent elections were held on 18 February 2017, with Hilberto Martinez and Allan Sharp assuming office as President and Secretary General, respectively.

Activities

The Association is primarily responsible for funding athletes' training and travel to sporting competitions. In 2022, it commissioned the construction of Olympic House, which is partially meant to provide its affiliated sporting federations and athletes with office and training space.

Affiliated bodies

National sports governing bodies affiliated with the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association as of 2022.
Body President Notes
Deon Sutherland
Paul Thompson
Belize Body Building & Fitness Federation Mirna Paul-Greenidge
Belize Boxing Federation Moses Sulph
Belize Canoe Association Pamela Bradley
Cycling Federation of Belize Orson Butler
Belize National Fencing Association Owen Meighan
Sergio Chuc
Judo Belize Federation Franz Menzies
Belize Karate Federation Herman Pastor Jr.
Belize Sailing Association Sharon Hardwick
Belize Softball Federation Jude Lizama
Belize Table Tennis Association Arturo Vasquez
Belize Tennis Association Edward Musa
Belize National Triathlon Association Giovanni Alamilla
Belize Volleyball Association Allan Sharp
Rugby Belize Tony Gillings
Belize Sport Shooters Federation suspended

Controversies

The Association, deemed '[possibly] the most important sporting body in Belize,' has been criticised for defying 'every norm of democratic governance.' Its second President, Ned Pitts, held office 'for 42 years and did not face an open election in decades.' By 2013, it was claimed that 'no one can rightly recall when the last election was held.'

Notes and references

Full citations

  1. Web site: 18 January 2017 – 31 January 2022. Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association. . Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. Belize City.
  2. Web site: Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. . International Olympic Committee. Lausanne.
  3. Web site: Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association – Belize. . Association of National Olympic Committees. Lausanne.
  4. Web site: Belize. . Commonwealth Games Federation. Pall Mall.
  5. Web site: Belize. . Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corp. Ashmore.
  6. Web site: 18 February 2013. The First Election For Olympic Committee In Decades. News 5. Great Belize Productions. Belize City. .
  7. Web site: 6 June 2022. The New Home of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. News 5. Great Belize Productions. Belize City. .
  8. Web site: 22 February 2013. Olympic Committee holds elections. Amandala. Belize City. .
  9. Agboguin. Jacob B.. Spring 1970. A history of the British Commonwealth Games, 1930-1966. MA thesis. University of Alberta. Edmonton. 1155967361.

See also

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