Members’ News

Mejia Oviedo says it is not possible to open due to the risks; highlights sports leadership unity in America

June 30, 2020

SANTO DOMINGO.- The president of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO), Luis Mejia Oviedo, said that it is not possible to talk about planning in sport in America because of the coronavirus.

By participating this Monday in the Virtual Forum The Pan American Return 2: “Sport, what this pandemic has left and what follows”, Mejia Oviedo pointed out that given the situation, the leadership of America is united, an aspect that the Dominican described as “very important”.

The CACSO president said that out of the desire to get out there, some put pressure on themselves and want the reopening, but that is not possible.

“If Latin America is the Pandemic Center right now, what are we going to plan,” said firmly, the also President of the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD).

Mejia Oviedo indicated that everyone is going to ask what to do, what to think, and that his response is that the sports leaders are not magicians to predict what will happen with the virus, and that this is in the hands of the Almighty.

The CACSO president recalled that no country has demonstrated control over the virus, and asked himself “how are we going to have it in sports.”

As a reflection in the forum, Mejia Oviedo narrated that the Dominican Republic and many countries are about to enter phase 3, a stage that in Europe is categorized as de-escalation, and that in that continent, many nations have turned back, and that in America they are taking that behavior as an example.

He favored starting only with training in countries where there is a condition with sports that allow distancing. “You have to be very careful. If we still do not have control of the virus, how are we going to plan?” he insisted.

When touching the subject of the conditions for the equality of the competitions and the qualifying rounds, he indicated that this has to come, as established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Faced with such concerns, Mejia Oviedo added, “We have to make a combination in America and that is what the leaders are for. We will agree to establish the appropriate conditions for the qualifiers; when a continent agrees, the others have to accept that. We are not going to accept that ours be at a disadvantage.”

The CACSO top executive considered that, as the situation is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not possible to make any predictions about the opening of sport and favored waiting. “We have no control over the virus and since we have no control, I refuse to give a forecast. We’re going to wait.”

He recalled that in April the president of Panam Sports, Neven Ilic, in a virtual conversation with Dominican journalists spoke that 2020 would be lost “and I am thinking along the same lines, there is a reason, none of us has control of the virus.”

Presidente ODECABE: “En América no es posible hablar ahora de planificación”

ORGANIZACIÓN DEPORTIVA CENTROAMERICANA Y DEL CARIBE·- TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2020

Mejía Oviedo dice no es posible apertura por los riesgos; resalta unidad de dirigencia deportiva en América.

SANTO DOMINGO.- El presidente de la Organización Deportiva Centroamericana y del Caribe (ODECABE), licenciado Luis Mejía Oviedo, manifestó que en América no es posible hablar de planificación en el deporte por causa del coronavirus.

Al participar este lunes en el Foro virtual El Regreso 2 Panamericano: “El deporte, lo que ha dejado esta pandemia y qué sigue”, Mejía Oviedo señaló que ante la situación, la dirigencia de América está unido, aspecto que el dominicano calificó de “muy importante”.

El presidente de ODECABE dijo que por el deseo de salir al ruedo, algunos se ponen presión y quieren que se de apertura, pero que eso no es posible.

“Si ahora mismo América Latina es el Centro de la Pandemia, qué vamos a estar planificando”, sostuvo con firmeza el también presidente de Colimdo – Comité Olímpico Dominicano (COD).

Mejía Oviedo indicó que todos van a preguntar qué hacer, qué pensar, y que su respuesta es que el dirigente deportivo no es mago para predecir qué va a pasar con el virus, y que eso está en manos del Altísimo.

El presidente de ODECABE recordó que ningún país ha demostrado tener control sobre el virus, y se preguntó que “cómo lo vamos a tener en el deporte”.

Como reflexión en el foro, Mejía Oviedo narró que la República Dominicana y muchos países están por entrar a la fase 3, etapa que en Europa llaman desescalada, y que en ese continente, muchas naciones volvieron para atrás, y que en América se está tomando ese comportamiento como ejemplo.

Favoreció iniciar solo con los entrenamientos en los países donde haya condición con los deportes que permitan el distanciamiento. “Hay que tener mucho cuidado. Si todavía no tenemos el control del virus, cómo vamos a estar planificando”, insistió.

Al tocar el tema de las condiciones para la igualdad de las competencias y las eliminatorias, indicó que eso tiene que llegar, como lo estableció el Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI).

Ante tal preocupación, Mejía Oviedo agregó: “Hay que hacer una combinación en América y para eso estamos los dirigentes. Nos pondremos de acuerdo para establecer las condiciones adecuadas para los clasificatorios. Y cuando un continente se pone de acuerdo los otros tienen que aceptar eso. No vamos a aceptar que los nuestros estén en desventaja”.

El máximo directivo de ODECABE consideró que, como está la situación por la pandemia del COVID-19 no es posible hacer ningún vaticinio sobre la apertura del deporte y favoreció la espera. “No tenemos control del virus y como no tenemos control, me niego a dar un pronóstico. Vamos a esperar”.

Recordó que en abril el presidente de Panam Sports, Neven Ilic, en un conversatorio virtual con periodistas dominicanos habló de que el 2020 se iba a perder “y yo estoy pensando en la misma línea, hay una razón, ninguno de nosotros tiene control del virus”.

It is with deepest regrets that the Board of the former Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee (NOC-AHO) informs you of the passing away of our NOC president on Saturday 20th of June 2020.

Mr. William Walter “Junior” Millerson

“Knight in the order of OranjeNassau” (merit order of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Mr. Millerson brought a high level of expertise and love for sports to his country and to the national and international sports community …

As a high performance athlete in Karate competing in representation of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, achieving impressive international championship titles on World, European and Pan American levels;
By training and educating young athletes all over the world to become champions and to represent their country a well in international Karate competitions;
By demonstrating his leadership qualities and skills as board member of the World and Pan American Karate Federation (honorary president);
As Vice President of ACODEPA ( Association of Pan American Sports Confederations);
As President of the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee (NOC-AHO);
As Board member of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization(CACSO);
As President of the Curaçao Sports Federation;
As President of the Parliament of Curaçao;
As President of the “Trainer Expertise Development Foundation Curaçao”.

The country has lost a true leader who has served in a prominent public representative position and in numerous national and international multi sport organizations. Curaçao in general and athletes and sport administrators all over the world in particular who benefitted from his Karate guidance and leadership sympathize with his family during this difficult time.

The Executive Board of the former Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee knows that our president had many friends in the PASO/ODEPA region during his presidency in the period 1997 – 2013. His legacy will continue, and we pray that we are able to find the strength to rise above the extremely sad situation and are thankful for his contribution to both the national and international sports community.

In the picture, William Millerson is on the left, during a visit of Mr. Thomas Bach to Curaçao in 2003.

The Board of the former Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee

Imro van Wilgen (Secretary General)
Edelmiro Seferina (Treasurer)
Richard Leito (Boardmember)
Hubert Isenia (Boardmember)
Victor Elhage (Boardmember)
Elvin Henriquez (Boardmember)
Remco Tevreden (former NOC-AHO Director)

The Journey from COVID to COMPETITION Return to Play

Greetings from TeamTTO

You are invited to TeamTTO Care and Injury Prevention Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 27, 2020 04:00 PM

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MhIl6XTiTLi7yJIspkFThQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Presenters for CareandInjuryPrevention webinar

Link to Donnie De Freitas’ Funeral service – 2.00pm EC Time today Tuesday 26 May 2020:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Bx2y23_Hw

Panama.- The Executive Board of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO), reported that the city of Santa Marta, capital of the department of Magdalena in Colombia, will host the First Central American and Caribbean Beach Games in 2022.

The announcement was made last Saturday, March 7, within the framework of the ordinary session of the organization, held at the Wyndham Panama Albrook Mall Hotel & Convention Center.

The decision was made after the Governor of the Magdalena department, Carlos Caicedo, and the Mayor of Santa Marta, Virna Johnson, presented the city’s credentials to support the candidacy.

Santa Marta was the only candidate city for these games.

“It is an important step that CACSO takes, given the geographic habitat where our associate members live”, said Luis Mejia, president of the regional body. “We will make innovations in these beach games and we have the enthusiasm and interest of the Santa Marta authorities”, Mejia continued.

On his side, Governor Caicedo did not hide the joy of projecting the department of Magdalena with the headquarters of the First Central American and Caribbean Games in Playa 2022, for the city of Santa Marta.

“We will make a monument from which the Central American and Caribbean flame of the Beach Games will forever set out in each version, while we are the first venue. The flags of Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia and ODECABE will permanently be placed”, said Governor Caicedo.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Santa Marta said she was very excited and very happy about ODECABE’s decision.

“We already have the experience of the Bolivarian Games, we already know how to organize international sports games and we will apply these experiences in 2022”, said Johnson.

“Santa Marta remains in the history of the Central American and Caribbean Beach Games, being the first city to host them and every four years whichever city wins the venue, they must come all the way here to light the cauldron”, said the mayor.

The I Central American and Caribbean Beach Games 2022 are scheduled to take place in November, which includes 14 sports and the participation of delegations from 37 countries.

CACSO President Luis Mejía plans to make his first visit to the city of Santa Marta in May.

PHOTO:

SANTA MARTA AND ODECABE AUTHORITIES

CACSO President, Luis Mejia conveyed his support of School Handball

SANTO DOMINGO. – The president of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO), Mr. Luis Mejia Oviedo, expressed his support for school handball.

These statements were made this Saturday, February 1, during a visit of the Executive Committee of the North America and Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) to the president of CACSO in the Dominican capital city.

This is one of the projects that the International Federation of this sport wishes to develop and Mr. Mejia as president of CACSO wishes to be an ally for the NACHC countries.

Mario Garcia de la Torre, president of NACHC, expressed thanks on behalf of the Executive Committee of this regional sports body, for the support expressed by the president of CACSO, Dominican Olympic Committee and member of the International Olympic Committee, for the development of school handball.

Garcia expressed: “We want you to be our voice in the Olympic movement,” he said.

“We will meet to draw up the plans to execute in relation to school handball, because we understand that this is the future of our sport and our athletes,” said the president of NORCA.

Miguel Rivera, president of the Dominican Handball Federation and Secretary General of NACHC, said: “School handball is more important for the Confederation than the national teams, because it guarantees a progressive development and growth for member countries,” he concluded.

The meeting was led by the president of CACSO and NACHC, Luis Mejia Oviedo, Dominican Republic and Mario Garcia de la Torre, from Mexico as well as the president of Creating Olympic Dreams (CRESO) businessman Felipe Vicini.

Among those present were the members of the NORCA Executive Committee, Vice President, Néstor Milete Echevarria, Secretary General, Miguel Rivera, Treasurer Felix Wilson, Carline Choute, President of the Women’s Commission; Cliff Williams, President of the Beach Handball Commission; and Llewlyn Harper, President of the Medical Commission as well as Franklyn Guevara, President of the Methods Commission; Kurt Lauritsen, Chairman of the Competitions Commission; and Francois Lebeau, President of the Game Rules and Referees Commission.

PANAM SPORTS STATEMENT ON TOKYO 2020

MEXICO CITY (March 24, 2020) — Given the current situation that the world is unfortunately facing with the Coronavirus pandemic that, according to the World Health Organization, is rapidly accelerating in both the number of cases and deaths throughout the world, the Panam Sports Executive Committee representing the 41 member nations of the Americas agreed on the following points in a video conference this afternoon:

a) Complete support for the decision taken by the International Olympic Committee and the Government and Sports authorities of Japan regarding the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021.

b) Above all else, the priority of Panam Sports will always be the health and well-being of our athletes.

c) We are aware of the serious problems that the Coronavirus is causing for all athletes and that it has not allowed them to train at the level that they are accustomed to. This affects both those who were still seeking to qualify for the Olympic Games as well as those who had already secured their place and dreamed of representing their country with the best preparation possible.

d) We call on all of the National Olympic Committees of the Americas, their leaders, coaches and, of course, their athletes to responsibly follow all the safety and health protocols of their respective countries’ authorities and of the World Health Organization in the face of this pandemic, so that we avoid the spread of the Coronavirus.

e) Panam Sports will maintain all of its aid programs for athletes, coaches and National Olympic Committees.

f) Once the new dates for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are defined, Panam Sports will work together with the IOC, the International Federations, the NOCs and the athletes to be able to adjust their schedules for the competitions that follow, in particular the Junior Pan American Games of Cali 2021 that were scheduled between June 5-20.

Panam Sports hopes that this unfortunate pandemic will begin to diminish worldwide as the days go by and we can soon return to our normal activities, and wants to convey its full commitment to the entire Pan American family in the face of these circumstances as well as our unconditional support to our athletes in this difficult time we are all experiencing.

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS

The Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports) is the leader of sport and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. We propel the development of sport and support our 41 member National Olympic Committees to inspire more participation in international competitions as well as participation of the youth to prepare the generation to come in our region.

Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organizing Committees of all regional games, Pan American Sport Confederations, International Federations (IF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to secure the success and celebration of our main event, the Pan American Games.

For the latest news and updates about Panam Sports, visit our website www.panamsports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @PanamSports

For more information, please contact:

Alejandro Goycoolea | Communications Director  | alejandro@panamsports.org
+56 994 081 884

Kevin Nutley | Communications Manager |  knutley@panamsports.org
+1 678 262 6612

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