President of the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO/ODEPA), Mario Vazquez Rana, is due to arrive in the island today ahead of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the organisation to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on February 7 and 8.

The two-day conference, projected to attract some 200 regional delegates, will be officially opened by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Mike Fennell said that his organisation welcomes the opportunity to host the president of PASO/ODEPA and the regional conference, which will be attended by officials from the 41 National Olympic Committees of the Americas.

He pointed out that prior to the General Assembly from February 4 to 6, there will be meetings with delegates from Pan American Sports Federations (APASC/ACODEPA); the Organising Committee for the next Pan American Games, slated for Toronto, Canada in 2015; and the Organising Committee of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“PASO/ODEPA will receive a progress report from the Toronto 2015 Organising Committee and presentations will also be made by delegations representing cities bidding to host the 2019 Pan American Games; as well as three cities bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games,” Fennell said.

The JOA boss also noted that there will be discussions about Olympic and Pan American Solidarity events during the Olympic Quadrennium period of 2013 to 2016.

Commenting on the spectrum of associations and countries being represented at the meetings and conference, Fennell said: “This will be a unique opportunity for the leaders of Jamaican sports organisations to interface with their regional counterparts, to develop meaningful training and competitive events throughout the region.”

At the close of the conference, delegates will be treated to a special “Jamaica Night” of local cuisine and music to wind up the conference and their meetings in Jamaica.