Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association

Coordinates: 17°29′35″N 88°11′16″W / 17.49300035335773°N 88.18779050352309°W / 17.49300035335773; -88.18779050352309
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
Belize City, Belize[2][a]
PresidentHilberto Martinez[2]
Secretary GeneralAllan Sharp[2]
Websitebelizeolympic.org

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).[1][3][4][b] It was recognised the following year by the International Olympic Committee.[2][5] In 1973, its name was changed to the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.[citation needed]

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.[6]

Activities

The Association is primarily responsible for funding athletes' training and travel to sporting competitions.[7] 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.[8]

Affiliated bodies

National sports governing bodies affiliated with the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association as of 2022.[9]
Body President Notes
Belize Athletic Association Deon Sutherland
Belize Basketball Federation 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
Football Federation of Belize 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.'[7] Its second President, Ned Pitts, held office 'for 42 years and did not face an open election in decades.'[7][citation needed] By 2013, it was claimed that 'no one can rightly recall when the last election was held.'[7][c]

Notes and references

Explanatory footnotes

  1. ^ The Association's offices are set to be relocated to Olympic House, Princess Margaret Dr, Belize City, during late 2022 (News 5 2022, para. 1).
  2. ^ Though founding date given as 1968 by BOGCA 2022, 'About' page, para 2.
  3. ^ The Association's most recent elections were held on 18 February 2017 (ANOC nd, table), 16 February 2013 (News 5 2013, para. 4, Amandala 2013, para. 1), and 1 July 1977 (Amandala 2013, last para.).

Short citations

  1. ^ a b CGF nd, para. 3.
  2. ^ a b c d e IOC nd, table.
  3. ^ GOLDOC 2018, para. 2.
  4. ^ Agboguin 1970, p. 210.
  5. ^ BOGCA 2022, 'About' page, para 2.
  6. ^ ANOC nd, table.
  7. ^ a b c d News 5 2013, para. 1.
  8. ^ News 5 2022, para. 2.
  9. ^ BOGCA 2022, 'National Federations' page, table.

Full citations

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

See also

17°29′35″N 88°11′16″W / 17.49300035335773°N 88.18779050352309°W / 17.49300035335773; -88.18779050352309