The archipelago of the Turks and Caicos Islands is about to experience an exciting international sporting event, as many delegations are already preparing their trip to Providenciales, the site of scheduled sporting activities that have captured global attention. The host country’s Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) has generated great excitement among the local population, on the eve of a week full of sporting events and key meetings for the future of sport in the region.
Starting Monday, October 14, dozens of sports administrators and athletes are expected to arrive on Providenciales, where the popular Sandals Beaches All-Inclusive Resort will be the epicenter of activities. On October 16, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will hold its Americas region meeting, followed by a joint meeting of the Americas and Caribbean regions on October 17. On October 18, it will be the turn of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) and the Caribbean region meeting. CANOC will hold its 13th Annual Workshop on October 19, culminating that same evening with the inauguration of the CANOC Caribbean Sports Awards, which will be presided over by Keith Joseph. The event will close on Sunday, October 20 with the 22nd Annual General Assembly.
The Turks and Caicos Islands’ track record in organizing sporting events is remarkable, having hosted the Carifta Games in 2007. This event, considered one of the most festive spectacles in youth sports, led to the construction of the country’s first athletics stadium and left a lasting mark on the event’s history.
One of the most anticipated moments of the week is the celebration of the CANOC Caribbean Sports Awards, which come on the heels of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where athletes such as Julien Alfred of St. Lucia and Thea LaFond of Dominica made history with their gold medals in the 100m and triple jump, respectively. Alfred also took a silver in the 200m, cementing her place among the top Caribbean athletes.
OLYMPIC LEADERS
This event will not only bring together Olympic and Commonwealth Caribbean leaders, but also international personalities such as Chris Jenkins, president of the CGF; Neven Ilic, president of Panam Sports; and Luis Mejias Oviedo, of Centro Caribe Sports. Other distinguished attendees included representatives from organizations such as Deloitte, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Pan American Weightlifting Confederation.
The presence of so many key figures in world sport is a reflection of CANOC’s growing status and bodes well for the future development of sport in the Caribbean region. CANOC has expressed its pride and congratulations to the CGA of the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as the government and people of the country, for fulfilling its commitment to organize these activities and securing its place in the sporting history of the Caribbean and the world.
TICKETS
The public is invited to join this celebration of Caribbean sporting excellence, with tickets available for the CANOC Sports Awards gala. For more information, contact tcicga1@gmail.com or call +1 (649) 231-1515.