Steve Stoute conferred with honorary membership in Commonwealth Games Federation

Former President of the Barbados Olympic association and President of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation Steve Stoute was conferred as an Honorary Life Member of the Commonwealth Games Federation by CGF President Louise Martin, CBE during the General Assembly held just prior to the start of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

In announcing the honour, Ms. Martin said that Steve Stoute had been President of the BOA from 1996 and Secretary General from 1968. He had been involved in Commonwealth sport since 1966 and attended a CGF assembly in 1970. During his many years of association with the Commonwealth Sports Movement, he served on the CGF’s Sports Commission and the Marketing Commission. At a General Assembly in in Auckland, New Zealand in 1987, he moved a resolution that any country maintaining sporting contacts with South Africa should be banned from participating in the Commonwealth Games. This was carried and enforced till the abolition of apartheid in South Africa. Meanwhile, at a General Assembly in Malta during 1993, Stoute fought with then CGF Chairman Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales to be allowed to move a motion that Netball be included in the Commonwealth Games. Despite the Chairman’s animosity, the motion was eventually seconded and adopted with the result that Netball was included in the Games programme for the first time in Malaysia at the 1998 Games.

In lauding Stoute’s contribution to Commonwealth sport, Louise Martin indicated that in July this year, Stoute will preside over the largest Central American and Caribbean Games in these Games’ long history. The 2018 CAC Games are scheduled for Barranquilla. The CAC Games were inaugurated in 1926.

Ms. Martin indicated that Stoute was a recipient of the Barbados National Honour, a Silver Crown of Merit and the Olympic Order. She looked forward to Stoute’s continued participation in the Commonwealth Sports Movement.