(Frigate Bay, St. Kitts) THE Association of National Olympic Committees of Organizations of the Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) met at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Saturday 9th June to chart the way forward for the administration of this vital body which supports our premier athletes of the region.
The meeting which was comprised primarily of Presidents and Secretaries General from Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands; Commonwealth of Dominica; Grenada; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and host St. Kitts and Nevis, was addressed by the Honourable Glen Ghost Phillip, Minister of Sports of St. Kitts and Nevis, during the brief opening ceremony.
Minister Phillip, being a sportsman and sport administrator, was right at home and encouraged the body to focus on the goal of the complete development of our athletes for the advancement of our individual nations as well as the OECS sub-region.
The main objectives of the meeting were to formally discus and adopt the Constitution, and in addition, to strategically look at the formation of the OECS Olympic Sports Academy.
President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee, Alphonso Bridgewater, who chaired the meeting indicated that the goals were fully realised and that it was a fruitful meeting.
He further noted that such an organization is of vital importance to the region for as very small states we are unable to achieve much on our own. “Coming together enables a pooling of the minds and energies and permits us to be a formidable force,” Bridgewater said.
The organization will be seeking opportunities for functional cooperation thereby maximising resources while minimizing costs.
ANOCES took the opportunity to meet in St. Kitts ahead of the OECS invitational Track and Field Meet which is supported by ANOCES and slated for Sunday, 10th June at the Silver Jubilee Stadium.
