In a significant development for Caribbean sports, the Association of National Olympic Committees of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) has finalized a comprehensive partnership agreement with Panam Sports for their NOC Strengthening Programme, effective throughout 2026. The landmark agreement was formally announced on February 18th, 2026, from the ANOCES headquarters in Basseterre, St. Kitts.
ANOCES President Ephraim Penn expressed considerable satisfaction with the negotiated arrangement, highlighting the extensive preparatory work undertaken by his executive team. The initiative, initially presented to Panam Sports President Neven Ilic the previous year, represents a strategic investment in the athletic future of the Eastern Caribbean subregion. President Penn emphasized the program’s potential to cultivate successive generations of athletes who will represent member nations at both regional and international multi-sport competitions, as well as individual championships organized by International Federations.
The tripartite program structure encompasses three distinct but interconnected initiatives:
The Sports Competitions Programme will provide organizational support for five designated sports: Athletics, 3×3 Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Swimming, and Table Tennis.
The Coaches, Referees, and Technical Officials Education Programme will focus exclusively on professional development through specialized training courses to enhance technical expertise across the region.
The Methodologists Support Programme is designed to strengthen the operational capacity of sport methodologists currently supporting National Olympic Committees within ANOCES, ensuring dedicated assistance during regional and continental competitions.
The ANOCES Executive Committee has finalized the allocation of grant funds from Panam Sports specifically for the organization of these competitions. Financial disbursements will be directed to host National Olympic Committees to offset critical organizational expenses including athlete and official accommodations, meals, local transportation, trophies, medals, venue preparation, rental costs, and other competition-related expenditures.
The 2026 competition schedule receiving grant support includes:
– ANOECS Athletics Championships (July 4-5) in Basseterre, St. Kitts/Nevis
– ANOECS 3×3 Basketball (May 23-24) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
– ANOECS Beach Volleyball (July 10-12) in Basseterre, St. Kitts/Nevis
– ANOECS Table Tennis (December 6-8) in St. Lucia
– ANOECS Swimming (November 6-8) in St. Lucia
ANOCES has extended its profound gratitude to Panam Sports for their continued collaborative partnership, recognizing the significant investment in the athletic development of Eastern Caribbean youth.