PANAM SPORTS VISITS THE MINISTRY OF SPORTS AND THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ON ITS FIRST OFFICIAL DAY IN ARUBA

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President Neven Ilic and Secretary General Jimena Saldaña led a series of important activities on the first day in “Happy Island,” Aruba. A meeting with the country’s Minister of Sports, a visit to TeleAruba, and a key meeting with the entire staff of the Aruban Olympic Committee were all part of Panam Sports’ busy schedule.

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Panam Sports officials and staff arrived in Aruba for the 2026 Executive Committee meeting.

The first day of this four-day visit to the Caribbean island consisted of several meetings and official visits.

The morning began with a visit to Aruba’s Minister of Sports, Gerlien L. Croes. During the meeting, the president of Panam Sports praised the great work being done in Aruba in the field of sports, emphasized the importance of collaboration between government authorities and the Olympic Committee, and offered both organizations all necessary support to continue on this path of growth and development.

Following this, the Panam Sports delegation visited the Caribbean nation’s main television channel, TeleAruba, which broadcast live—thanks to the Panam Sports Channel—the 2025 ASU Junior Pan American Games and the 2026 South American Youth Games in Panama.

During the meeting, officials and staff from both institutions shared experiences and offered mutual support for future Games and joint broadcasts.

The official visit to the Aruban Olympic Committee took place in the afternoon. President Wanda and Secretary General Nicole Hoevertsz were in charge of showing the facilities and introducing each of the members who work daily at the modern Olympic facilities.

“It is very exciting to welcome President Neven Ilic. This is his second visit here in Aruba to the Aruban Olympic Committee, as he was present at the opening of this office in 2023. It is also very important to meet not only the board but also the entire staff,” said COA President Wanda Broeksema.

“Panam Sports is a very important partner for us, and this visit truly touches our hearts. Having them here in our home has given us the opportunity to bring President Ilic together with our entire team and tell them about what we do every day, as well as our dreams for the Olympic movement,” said COA Secretary General and IOC member Nicole Hoevertsz.

The highlight of the visit came when the president of Panam Sports gathered the entire COA staff and invited them to share their experiences, their work, and how Panam Sports could support them.

The engaging conversation lasted over an hour and concluded with the presentation of a gift to the head of Pan American Sports.

“We had an important meeting with the COA staff. It was sincere and very interesting, and I heard their vision for sports and how we can help them. I’ve truly congratulated them on the great work they’re doing as an Olympic Committee. I want to thank them for the warm welcome our organization received during our visit,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.

This Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., the Panam Sports Executive Committee meeting begins in Aruba, attended by the continent’s top sports officials as well as representatives from the government and sports community of the Caribbean nation.

Reports from the president, the secretary general, the Lima 2027 Organizing Committee, and the various functional areas of Panam Sports will be presented during this meeting.