SPORTS, TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE & CULTURE

The tour of the facility coincided with an expression of interest, by the NOC, to enter into a lease agreement with government for the benefit of the NOC, its member associations and the national sports program in general.

 

Commenting on the walk through, NOC president Senator Chet Greene is optimistic about successfully negotiating with the ministry and expressed confidence in the potential of the acquisition and the positive impact on raising the bar on the outputs and fulfillment of athletic prowess of Antiguan and Barbudan athletes.

 

Greene, while admitting that it was early days yet, shared his vision for the soon to be Olympic Sports headquarters;
 

1.NOC secretariat and Olympic Museum

2.Office space for national associations affiliated to the NOC

3.Classroom facilities for training of our human resource

4.Living quarters for housing national and visiting teams

5.A full service cafeteria and restaurant catering to athletes and the general public

6.A fitness club

7.Recreational facilities for teams domiciled at the facility

8. Ease in facilitating the real participation of Barbudan athletes in the national program
 

Secretary General of the NOC, Cliff Williams remembers that the NOC did secure a commitment for support from the president of the IOC, Dr. Jacques Rogge when he visited the island last year. Williams recalls that the IOC president’s promise was made in the presence of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer who also gave an undertaking that government would assist the NOC in obtaining new and suitable office accommodations.  
 

Minister of State with responsibility for Sports, Senator Winston Williams shares the vision of the NOC president and believes that the facility once transferred to the umbrella sports organization can go a long way in preparing the nations athletes, impact on the quality of the administration of sports and position Antigua and Barbuda as a first in the OECS.
 

Minister Williams made it pellucid to the touring party that the final decision to lease the facility rested with the Cabinet.
 

The minister is presently a participant in an advanced sports management course offered by the NOC under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee. Thirty (30) of the country’s leading sports administrators are engaged in the six (6) months diploma program.