On Tuesday afternoon, in front of their office located on Vondellaan, the Aruban Olympic Committee held a press conference regarding a delegation of sports executives led by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach. The latter will be visiting Aruba for a work visit on the 10th and 11th of March. In her capacity as COA President, Wanda Broeksema spoke about Thomas Bach’s visit to Aruba.
“On Tuesday, President Bach left Switzerland to visit the Caribbean region. During the period from February 28 to March 11, seven countries and islands will receive a visit from Bach and his delegation, where on the 10th and 11th of March he will be in Aruba for two days. It has been 35 years since a President of the International Olympic Committee made a visit to Aruba. This was in 1988 with the late Juan Antonio Samaranch. For COA, President Bach’s visit is a very important step to show what COA is doing with the funds we receive from Panam Sports and Olympic Solidarity,” said Broeksema.
It should be noted that the delegation of sports executives, led by Bach, will consist of Neven Ilic, who is the President of Panam Sports, and also James MacLeod, who is the Director of Olympic Solidarity. The Aruban Olympic Committee receives the necessary funds for its athletes and sports federations from both the institutions.
According to Broeksema, the program will be two days long, as several visits will be made to important dignitaries in our country. “Upon his arrival on Friday, he will visit His Excellency the Governor of Aruba, Alfonso Boekhoudt, and then also the Council of Ministers of Aruba.”
That same evening, there will be a meeting with the business community of Aruba where the importance of sports for a country and why we need to invest in our local athletes will be explained.
“On Saturday, there will be a special morning where the Aruban Olympic Committee office located on Vondellaan will be inaugurated,” Broeksema concluded.
