Top officials from the Caribbean National Olympic Committees (CANOC) are meeting in Guyana this week to discuss the future of sport in the region.

The gathering, a retreat taking place from January 30th to February 2nd, 2025, follows a successful year for CANOC, including the inaugural Caribbean Sports Awards.
Delegates from over 26 nations, along with representatives from major Olympic and continental sports bodies, are focusing on strategic planning, financial sustainability, and regional collaboration.

A key item on the agenda is the discussion of CANOC’s first-ever Strategic Plan (2025-2028), which will outline the organisation’s direction and priorities for the coming years.
The CANOC delegation met with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali on Friday, where they acknowledged his leadership and support for sports development. The visit comes as Guyana prepares to host the 23rd CANOC AGM and Workshop in October.

Discussions will also cover partnerships and high-performance development, including strengthening agreements with the Olympic Committee of Peru and revising a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to incorporate collaboration with the Government of Grenada on a High-Performance Centre.

Progress on an Advanced Sports Leadership Course, developed in conjunction with Panam Sports and UWI, will also be reviewed.
Guyana’s role in Caribbean sports is also under the spotlight, with discussions focusing on the country’s potential to host the Caribbean Games and other major events.

The development of coaching camps and training opportunities in Guyana for athletes and officials will also be explored.
The agenda will include a discussion of CANOC’s Sustainability Action Plan (2025-2030), with an emphasis on leveraging Guyana’s experience in climate action. Future financing and marketing strategies for CANOC will also be discussed.

Godfrey Munroe, President of the Guyana Olympic Association, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the retreat. “Guyana is honoured to facilitate this pivotal retreat, where key decisions will shape the future of Caribbean sports,” he said.

“We are eager to engage with CANOC leadership to strengthen regional collaboration, advance sustainable sports initiatives, and position Guyana as a hub for high-performance training and major sporting events.”