BOA Launches 70th Anniversary Celebrations
The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) has officially launched its 70th Anniversary celebrations, commemorating seven decades of dedication to sports development, athlete support, and the spirit of Olympism and sportsmanship.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Barbados Olympic Centre, BOA President Sandra Osborne underscored the significance of this milestone, stating that the BOA is an organisation with a proud legacy which started even before Barbados became an independent nation. She said that the BOA and its National Olympic Academy’s (NOA) commitment to athletes and sports development can be seen in its numerous initiatives and training programmes, including the Coaching Pathways Programme, which the NOA holds in collaboration with the Coaching Association of Canada.
“To put what we do in a financial context, in recent times, in any given year, we have expended between $5 million and $7 million – representing between 70% and 75% of our total revenue – on athletes, national federations, coaches, Games, education, and training, clearly demonstrating where our priorities lie. We believe we have a responsibility to provide as much support as we can to our key stakeholders, and you can be assured of our continuing focus on investing in future sporting generations,” Ms. Osborne stated.
She mentioned that the BOA has recently finalized its annual funding allocations to national federations after conducting individual meetings to better grasp their strategies, funding needs, and challenges. She explained the last phase of the funding initiative would involve confirming the athletes recommended for Olympic Solidarity scholarships as well as those receiving direct funding, categorized as elite, high-performance, or developing.
President Osborne emphasized that 2025 not only marks the BOA’s 70th anniversary but also the beginning of a new quadrennium, culminating in 2028 at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She stated that there are ongoing efforts to devise the strategy, programmes, and initiatives for the upcoming four years. These efforts, she noted, are being shaped by insights from a recent survey conducted by CADRES among the BOA’s key stakeholders and the public, aimed at enhancing the Association’s engagement strategies with stakeholders.
70th anniversary activities
The anniversary celebrations will be guided by the theme “Inspired by History, Driven by Tomorrow: 70 Years On, The Future Starts Now.” Secretary General Erskine Simmons, who chairs the Awards and Special Events Commission, outlined the year-long calendar of activities designed to engage athletes, stakeholders, and the public.
“We have curated a dynamic lineup of events to celebrate this important milestone,” Simmons said. He continued, “On March 10, throughout the Commonwealth, we celebrate Commonwealth Day, and we’re working closely with the Commonwealth Society of Barbados to celebrate that activity on that day. For International Women’s Day, we’re working with the Gender Equity Commission to celebrate the empowerment of women and highlight their remarkable contributions to sport and beyond. On March 22, 20 years ago, the National Olympic Academy was born in Barbados, and they are commemorating two decades of excellence in sports education and its role in shaping our sporting future. Towards the end of March, the King’s Baton Relay will be coming back to Barbados for the Commonwealth Games, which takes place next year in Glasgow. In April is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, and in May, we are embracing the digital age as we launch a captivating mini documentary that traces the rich history of the BOA.”
Rich sporting history
Meanwhile, reflecting on the BOA’s remarkable journey, Immediate Past President Steve Stoute provided historical insights, recounting the organisation’s evolution from its recognition by the International Olympic Committee in 1955 to its debut at the Olympics in 1968. He also acknowledged the contributions of the first President and Secretary General, the late Louis Lynch and Michael Simmons, respectively.
“The International Olympic Committee recognises the BOA as one of the best small Olympic Committees in the world. In fact, they have also recognised us as a training centre for small Olympic Committees, and we have had representatives coming here for training from throughout the region,” Mr. Stoute stated.
As part of the celebrations, the BOA will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of Barbados’ first Olympic medal, won by Ambassador Obadele Thompson. Additionally, the Association will celebrate Olympic Day on June 23, participate in the annual Breast Cancer Walk organised by the Barbados Cancer Society in October to mark its celebration of TAFISA World Walking Day, host the BOA Independence Invitational Games in November, and stage the Annual Awards in December.
The public is encouraged to participate in the BOA’s 70th anniversary celebrations, which will run throughout the year. More details on the schedule of events will be available on the BOA’s website and social media platforms.
