After serving the last four years as president of the Cayman Islands Athletic Association, Lance Barnes has decided not to seek a second term in the upcoming election of the executive committee.
Noting he had been nominated by two different people, Barnes told the Cayman Compass he had declined to put his name up for consideration, adding, “I now move forward into the next chapter of my life”.
Barnes, who is the ICT manager for the Ministry of Education, was elected CIAA president in August 2017. Since then, he has overseen Caymanian athletes competing in multiple international meets like the World Championships, CARIFTA and the recent Olympic Games.
During his tenure, however, he also had to deal with several issues. The pandemic overshadowed last year, as did the sanctions that were imposed on Cayman’s track association – stemming from the jurisdiction’s hosting of the CARIFTA Games in 2019 – which prohibited local athletes from participating in any world events, though that was eventually resolved.
“Whilst the experience was remarkable, I have had many challenges that have brought me to the brink of quitting on several occasions but then I was reminded, ‘This is not about you, it is for the aspiring athletes of the Cayman Islands, soak it up, stay the course and proceed full speed ahead,’” he said.
The CIAA will elect a new president and a vice president on Thursday, in addition to seven other members of the committee. Barnes said he hopes the new administration will keep the athletes’ needs as the focal point of their decision making.
“To the incoming president and first vice president, I intend to support you unreservedly,” Barnes said. “I also encourage all members to fully support the new administration, as we work together for the betterment of our athletes. Until then, I pray God’s richest blessing on everyone, as we continue to press on with this great responsibility.”
Related Videos
