Plans advance for NACAC New Life Invitational

Subsequent to the report carried last week, we can now state that ongoing discussions in respect of the organisation of the inaugural NACAC New Life Invitational are proving to be quite positive.

Already there has been one important change and that has to do with the proposed date of the competition. Originally set for 29 May, the new date is 5 June 2021.

NACAC Marketing

The NACAC leadership has been continuing its programme aimed at developing a broad-based marketing plan for the future.

In the recent past, NACAC has held discussions with COPA Airlines. These yielded a measure of confidence that an agreement can be reached by mutual consent.

Discussions have also been held with Michael Chappell of UCS, the equipment manufacturer that has been long associated with our events. A formal agreement is in the making.

The third meeting held thus far was with Michael Tovar and MONDO’s Marketing representative for the region. The details of the new contract was discussed. Mondo has also had a longstanding relationship with our region that dates back to the days of CACAC. Both organisations have also been supportive of NACACTFCA, the Area’s coaches fraternity which convenes an annual Convention.

On Monday 10 May, NACAC will meet with the CEO of Panam Sports, Ivar Sisniega and the organisation’s Marketing Manager, Alexandra Orlando. Discussions on the Panam Sports Channel and its potential to facilitate coverage of NACAC events began some time ago. However, the Panam Sports Channel has recently been re-branded. The Channel was re-launched on 26 April 2021 along with a mobile app. Interested persons can access the Channel at www.panamsports.org/channel

Costa Rica to host NACAC U-18/U-23

NACAC has received formal communication from the Costa Rican Athletics Federation (FECOA) confirming that it will host the biennial NACAC U-18/U-23 Championships, 9 – 11 July 2021.

President of FECOA, Geen Clarke, who also heads CADICA, expressed her organisation’s eagerness to host the event for which no other member federation had submitted a bid. According to Clarke, the government of Costa Rica encourages the hosting of international sports events and has endorsed her organisation’s request to host the event after having been approached by NACAC.

NACAC President, Mike Sands, has expressed gratitude to Geen and the government of Costa Rica for stepping forward in the midst of the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and which have already wrought havoc with numerous sporting events everywhere.

ESA’s Executive now complete

The member federation of El Salvador convened an Extraordinary General Assembly on Saturday last, 8 May 2021, at the Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium in San Salvador.

In accordance with the constitution, representatives of clubs, athletes, coaches, judges and associations were in attendance.

The Assembly received and approved the financial statements for 2020 that were outstanding from the previous meeting.

There was the election of the members needed to complete the Board of Directors of the Federation. The Board of Directors for the 2021 – 2024 term of office of the Salvadoran Athletics Federation is now as follows:

PRESIDENT: Ing. Gloria Elizabeth Ramos

VICE PRESIDENT: Licda. Ruth Daniela González

GENERAL SECRETARY: Lic. Carlos Rigoberto Clemente

TREASURER: Lic. José René Navas Urías

FIRST MEMBER: Ms. Secia Carolina Rodriguez

The elections were conducted by the Federal Electoral Board..

Representatives of the National Institute of Sports of El Salvador (INDES) and the Olympic Committee of El Salvador were present.

AROUND NACAC

 USATF

With only a few weeks to go before the US Nationals, American athletes were seemingly eager to show their level of preparation over the weekend.

The USA Track and Field Golden Games at Mt SAC was the venue for some excellent performances.

Cravon Gillespie produced 9.96 in the 100m final with Isaiah Young (9.99) and Christopher Belcher (10.01) in his wake.

In the women’s 100m, Sha’Carri Richardson made light work of her opponents, crossing the line in 10.77 with Javianne Oliver a distant second (11.08) and Jamaica’s Brianna Williams in third (11.15).

Michael Norman (44.40) headed Michael Cherry (44.86) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Deon Lendore (45.04) in the men’s 400m final.

Noah Lyles took the 200m in 19.90, closely followed by Kenny Bednarek (19.94) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards in third (20.20), a season best. Canada’s Aaron Brown was fourth in 20.26, his own season best performance in the event.

In the women’s 200m, Gabby Thonas produced a 22.12 winning performance ahead of the evergreen, Allyson Felix (22.26) and Kynna Irby (22.27).

All around, performances were quite remarkable.

JAM

Former world Jamaican World Championships 100m gold medallist, Yohan Blake, delivered a 10.05 run over the weekend to win his pet event ahead of Oshane Bailey (10.13) and Romario Williams (10.16). His achievement sets the stage for an interesting competition when the country’s National Championships/Olympic Qualifiers take place next month.

Shericka Jackson won the women’s 200m (22.62), ahead of Stephenie Ann McPherson (22.98) and Shashalee Forbes (23.03) respectively.

In the women’s 400m, Tiffany James-Rose ran a comfortable 52.45 seconds, with Junell Bromfield’s (53.12) and Ashley Williams (53.23) finishing second and third respectively.

Other outstanding performances came from Janieve Russell, who crossed the line in 55.45 while winning the 400mH for women.

NACAC Athletes’ Commission member, O’Dayne Richards, continued to show improvement with a throw of 19.79m throw in the men’s shot put. The Salvadoran Athletics Federation held this Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of May the fourth date of the Track and Field Festival for athletes U18, U20 and Seniors. In the event, official athletics tests were held at the facilities of the Jorge “Mágico” González National Stadium.

CAY

Caymanian athletes were engaged in competitions in their respective Conferences across the USA over the weekend. Two performers stood out for the Caymanians:

Rasheem Brown, competing for North Carolina A&T at the MEAC finished a creditable first in the 110mH in a personal best time of 13.61.

Competing in the American East Conference, Louis Gordon of the University of Albany won the high jump with a leap of 1.97m. He also finished sixth in the long jump with a 7.09m performance.

ESA

Over the weekend, 8 – 9 May, 117 athletes from 19 national and international clubs and teams participated in the 17 athletes from 19 national and international clubs and teams participated in the event fourth segment of the Track and Field Festival for athletes U18, U20 and older. Competition was held at the Jorge “Mágico” González National Stadium.

Invited athletes from Guatemala, Costa Rica and athletes selected from the Paralympic Committee of El Salvador (COPESA) were also involved in the competition that showcased a total of 39 events.

Andrea Michelle Velasco was the star athlete of the proceedings with a performance of 3.85m in the pole vault, establishing a new national record,

For complete results visit the website:

https://atletismoelsalvador.revsys.net/Evento.aspx?eve=41

Facebook fan page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=atletismo.elsalvador.3&set=a.4595690393780833

Governance Commission to oversee elective General Assembly in ARU

The NACAC Governance has communicated to the Arubanese Atletiek Bond, the member federation of Aruba, in respect of the convening of their elective General Assembly on 15 June 2021.

NACAC has appointed, Michael Serralta to oversee the proceedings of the Assembly. He will be in Aruba to ensure complete compliance with all approved procedures and the existing constitution of the organisation.

Chair of the NACAC Governance Commission Abby Hoffman, will be in constant communication with Serralta regarding the requirements for a successful elective General Assembly.

During the past week the Chair of the Governance Commission met with Alain Jean-Pierre, President of the Haitian member federation. The meeting formed part of the work of the Commission in response to concerns raised in respect of the elections of that member federation in the early part of the current year.

NACAC Pathways advance

Chair of the NACAC Development Commission, John-Paul Clarke, is satisfied with the progress being made in respect of the education programmes being planned for administrators as well as for athletes of our area.

At a meeting of the Development Commission held on Tuesday 4 May, members received an update on the progress being made in respect of the presenters of the various modules that would form each of the two pathways.

During the course of this week members are expected to engage in follow-up activities with the respective presenters assigned to them and provide the Chair with a brief on the modules.

Clarke, accompanied by General Secretary, Keith Joseph, has also been in discussions with the Development and International Relations Department of World Athletics in respect of accessing that organisation’s eLearning platform for the delivery as well as the archiving of the content, for and on behalf of NACAC.

Weekly Meetings

Monday 10 May

10.00am ECT – NACAC meeting on the NACAC New Life Invitational

11.00am ECT – NACAC engagement in the World Athletics CECS and TOECS  Assessment of the eLearning pprogramme.

1.00pm ECT – NACAC meeting with the CEO and Marketing Manager of Panam Sports  to discuss opportunities regarding the NACAC New Life Invitational and the proposed NACAC Circuit.

Tuesday 11 May

1.00 pm ECT – Meeting of NACAC with World Athletics on the New Development Model

4.00 pm ECT – Meeting on developments regarding the NACAC New Life Invitational

Wednesday 12 May

10.00am ECT – Weekly Meeting – Mike Sands, Michael Serralta and Keith Joseph

7.00 pm ECT – Meeting with Organising Committee of Guyana LOC, Carifta 2022.

Thursday 13 May

7.00 pm ECT – NACAC Council Meeting via Zoom.