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 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 Cricket Association Roy A. Young — 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.' 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.'
See also Belize at the Olympics Belize at the Commonwealth Games
Notes and references Explanatory footnotes
Short citations
Full citations