ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL
ACODEPA HISTORY
PRESIDENTS AND PERIODS
1992-1998
Dennis CLEMENCE - Sailing
Brasil
1998-1999 (interin)
Clovis LODEWIJKS – Softball
Antillas Nerlandesas
1999-2015
Ivar SISNIEGA - Modern Pentathlon
México
2015-2019 (interin)
Carlos SILVA - Shooting
Guatemala
2019 to date
Francisco LEE – Wrestling
Guatemala
FIRST STAGE:
The Association of Pan American Sports Confederations (ACODEPA), born at the initiative of Mr. Mario Vásquez Raña (RIP), in his time as President of the Pan American Sports Organization (ODEPA), now called Panam Sports, who invited the Presidents of the Pan American Sports Confederations to the "1st Convention for Pan American Olympic Sports", together with the Presidents of the Olympic Committees of America.

Following the aforementioned call, on May 1 st , 1992, the first General Assembly of ACODEPA was held in Acapulco, Mexico, with the presence of delegates from 26 sports. Dr. Jorge Zas Fernández, was given the task of drafting the draft Statutes of the new organization and a provisional Executive Committee was elected, which was integrated as follows:

• President: Dennis Clemence (BRA) - Sailing
• Secretary General: Jorge Zas Fernández (URU) - Weightlifting
• Treasurer: Clovis Lodewijks (Nerlandesan Antilles) - Softball
• Technical Affairs: Raúl Villanueva Torres (CUB) - Boxing
• General Affairs: José Gómez Zaragoza (MEX) - Basque Pelota

Since its founding, ACODEPA had the following objectives:
a) To constitute a place where the Pan American Sports Confederations could express themselves freely, know each other and exchange ideas, experiences and projects,
b) To fight for the strengthening of sport in America, especially in the Pan American Sports Games and,
c) To promote common works with ODEPA, Organizing Committee of Pan American Sports Games, Continental and World Associations of a similar nature and other international sports organizations.

Subsequently, the members of the provisional Executive Committee of ACODEPA were invited to participate in the ODEPA General Assembly, held in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The meeting took place on 30 July 1994, where important points for our organization were presented; such as:
• Final revision of the Statutes project.
• Creation of a provisional logo.
• Planning of the next General Assembly, in Mar del Plata City, Argentina where the XII Pan-American Games were held and the Executive Committee for the period 1995-1999 were elected.

It is important to highlight that during the ODEPA General Assembly, 2 relevant facts:
a) For the first time, the ACODEPA President is inviited to present a report in the ODEPA General Assembly and,
b) The President, Don Mario Vásquez Raña, announces that Pan American Sports Confederations will be favoured with 10% of the total revenue that each sporting discipline receives from the sale tickets.

On March 14 th ,1995, as part of the XII Pan American Sports Games, the General Assembly of ACODEPA took place, in the city of Mar de Plata, Argentina, with the representation of delegates from 18 Pan American Sports Confederations. According to the agenda, the most relevant points were:
a) Election of the new Executive Committee and Fiscal Commission for the period 1995-1999, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Dennis Clemence (BRA) - Sailing
• Executive Vicepresident: Clovis Lodewijks (Nerlandesan Antilles) -Softball
• Vicepresident: Bruce Rogers (CAN) - Aquatics
• Vicepresident: Fernando Villanueva (CUB) - Boxing
• Vicepresident: Peter Buelming (USA) - Handball
• Vicepresident: Ernesto González (ARG) - Skate
• Vicepresident: Keith Calkins (USA) - Racquetball
• Vicepresident: Juan Bravo (COL) - Squash
• Secretary General: Jorge Zas (URU) - Weightlifting
b) ACODEPA Statutes were approved and,
c) Don Mario Vásquez Raña, ODEPA´s President, was nominated as Honorary President of ACODEPA.

On October 13 th , 1988, the "2nd Convention for Pan American Olympic Sports" was held in Mexico City, as well as the ACODEPA General Assembly, which had a participation of delegates from 27 sports, having agreed that:
a) A resolution was issued, about the concern and disapproval with the procedure adopted by the organizers of the XIII Pan American Sports Games, to be conducted in Winnipeg, Canada, regarding technical aspects of the sports programed for the event.
b) It was unanimously agreed to remove the President of ACODEPA, Mr Dennis Clemence, for not having a satisfactory role and Mr Clovis Lodewijks was named Interim President, until the next General Assembly.
c) Mr. Ivar Sisniega from México, was elected as Vicepresident, and was designated for the coordination between ODEPA and ACODEPA.
d) A Commission was also set up to study reforms to the Statute.

On July 30th, 1999, during the XIII Pan American Sports Games, the General Assembly of ACODEPA was held in Winnipeg, Canada, with the assistance of delegates from 28 sports. According to the planned agenda, the following was resolved:
a) Approval of the Statues update.
b) Election of the new Executive Committee for the period 1999 -2003, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Ivar Sisniega (MEX) - Modern Pentathlon
• Executive Vicepresident: Clovis Lodewijks (Nerlandesan Antilles) - Softball
• Vicepresident: Charles Yatman (USA) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: Keith Calkins (USA) - Basketball
• Vicepresident: Antonio Von Ondarza (VEN) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: Ernesto González Molina (ARG) - Skate
• Vicepresident: Arthur Cramer (BRA) - Fencing
• Vicepresident: Federico Valdéz (PUR) - Badminton
• Treasurer: Bertha Jiménez González (MEX) - Archery
• Secretary General: Jorge Zás (URU) - Weightlifting
• Fiscal Commission: Jorge Mejía (COL) - Triathlon
• Fiscal Commission: Helder Navarro (COL) - Taekwondo
• Fiscal Commission: Rolando Martínez (CUB) - Tennis
SECOND STAGE:
From the XIII Pan American Sports Games held in Winnipeg, Canada, ACODEPA was strengthened under the leadership of Ivar Sisniega, who had been an Olympic athlete in Modern Pentathlon and served as Minister of Sports in Mexico.
One of the most important achievements of its management was to have made the legal constitution of ACODEPA in Mexico City, on August 16 th , 2000, having been formalized under public deed of the public register of the property, folio 2827, of book 275, dated September 5 th , 2000.

The Statutes were reformed on several occasions, seeking their updating to the needs of ACODEPA.

Within the XIV Pan American Sports Games held in the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the General Assembly of ACODEPA was held. According to the planned agenda, the Executive Committee was elected for the period 2003-2007, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Ivar Sisniega (MEX) - Modern Pentathlon
• Executive Vicepresident: Clovis Lodewijks (Nerlandesan Antilles) - Softball
• Vicepresident: Charles Yatman (USA) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: Keith Calkins (USA) - Basketball
• Vicepresident: Antonio Von Ondarza (VEN) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: Federico Valdéz (PUR) - Badminton
• Vicepresident: Teresa Lara (VEN) - Sailing
• Treasurer: Was not elected
• Secretary General: Jorge Zás (URU) - Weightlifting
• Fiscal Commission: José Manuel Peláez (CUB) - Cycling
• Fiscal Commission: Sergio Rodríguez (COL) - Squash
• Fiscal Commission: Eduardo de Bello (PAN) - Baseball

On July 12 th , 2007, during the XV Pan American Sports Games held in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the General Assembly of ACODEPA was held, with the assistance of delegates from 17 sports. According to the planned agenda, the Executive Committee was elected to for the period 2003-2007, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Ivar Sisniega (MEX) - Modern Pentathlon
• First Executive Vicepresident: Antonio Von Ondarza (VEN) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: Luke St. Onge, (USA) - Racquetball
• Vicepresident: Charles Yatman (USA) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: Jaime Casanova (DOM) - Judo
• Vicepresident: José Manuel Peláez (CUB) - Cycling
• Vicepresident: Vicelia Florenzano (BRA) - Gymnastics
• Vicepresident: Manuel Oliveira (BRA) - Handball
• Treasurer: Antonio Álvarez (MEX) - Triatlhlon
• Secretary General: Ricardo Contreras (MEX) - Boxing
• Fiscal Commission: Jesús Suniaga (VEN) - Softball
• Fiscal Commission: Víctor Sergio Groupierre (ARG) - Fencing
• Fiscal Commission: José Guandique (ESA) - Bowling

On October 11th, 2011, during the XVI Pan American Sports Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, the General Assembly of ACODEPA is held, with the assistance of delegates from 22 sports. According to the planned agenda, the following is resolved:
a) Approval of the Statutes update.
b) The Executive Committee was elected to for the period 2007-2011, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Ivar Sisniega (MEX) - Modern Pentathlon
• Secretary General: Francisco Lee (GUA) - Wrestling
• First Executive Vicepresident: Antonio Von Ondarza (VEN) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: Luke St. Onge, (USA) - Racquetball
• Vicepresident: Charles Yatman (USA) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: José Guandique (ESA) - Bowling
• Vicepresident: José Manuel Peláez (CUB) - Cycling
• Treasurer: Antonio Álvarez (MEX) - Triatlhlon
• Fiscal Commission: Ji Ho Choi (USA) - Taekwondo
• Fiscal Commission: Jesus Sineaga (VEN) - Softball
• Member: Jorge Castro Rea (MEX) - Fencing
• Member: Eldon C. Godfrey (USA) - Aquatics
• Member: John Charles (DMA) - Boxing
• Member: Carlos Silva (GUA) - Shooting

On February 8th, 2015, Don Mario Vásquez Raña died, who presided over the ODEPA for 40 years, leaving a valuable legacy for the Pan American sports movement. With his physical disappearance, an important chapter for the sport of America was closed.

On July 08th, 2015, during the XVII Pan American Sports Games, the ACODEPA General Assembly was held in Toronto, Canada, with the assistance of 34 delegates from Pan American Sports Confederations. It is worth mentioning that Mr. Julio Maglione, who served as acting president of the ODEPA, was present.
As part of the agenda, the proposed amendment to Article 8 of the ODEPA statutes was known, so that the President of ACODEPA would occupy a formal place on the Executive Committee of the ODEPA.

In addition, the following reforms to the ACODEPA Statutes were approved:
• Only the Confederations that are part of the Pan-American program will have the right to a voice and vote. The others shall have the right to participate with a voice but without a vote.
• Anyone running for a Pan American Confederation must be part of its Executive Committee at that time.
• Add the position of Executive Secretary so that the person holding this position has an official position without voting. The responsibilities of this new position are described below.
• The ratification of a member of the Executive Committee, in case any position becomes vacant during the period and,
• In case of doubt in interpretation, decisions shall fall to the Executive Committee.
• It was agreed that the position of secretary should change to executive secretary, being part of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee was elected to for the period 2011-2019, which was integrated as follows:
• President: Ivar Sisniega (MEX) - Modern Pentathlon
• First Vicepresident: Carlos Silva (GUA) - Shooting
• Secretary General: Francisco Lee (GUA) - Wrestling
• Vicepresident: Cecilia Farias (ARG) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: José Manuel Peláez (CUB) - Cycling
• Vicepresident: Coco Budeisky (ARG) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: William Millerson (Curacao) - Karate
• Treasurer: Jaime Cadaval (MEX) - Triathlon
• Fiscal Commission: Miguel Carner (MEX) - Rugby
• Fiscal Commission: Ji Ho Choi (USA) - Taekwondo
• Member: Dale Neuburger (USA) - Aquatics
• Member: Usie Richards (ISV) - Basketball
• Member: Zobeira Hernández (VEN) - Gymnastics
• Member: Luke St. Onge (USA) - Racquetball
• Executive Secretary: Ana Paula González (MEX)

On April 26th, 2017, the ODEPA General Assembly, whose main point was the election of the new Executive Committee, was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, and was elected President, Mr Neven Illic from Chile. Subsequently, the new President proposed to the General Assembly that the position of Secretary-General of the ODEPA to be held by Mr. Ivar Sisniega, replacing Mrs. Jimena Saldaña, who for many years served in this position. The Assembly confirmed the appointment.

On the same day, the General Assembly of ACODEPA took place, with the presence of 36 delegates of equal number of Pan American Sports Confederations, in which Ivar Sisniega announced his irrevocable resignation from the office of President, as it was incompatible with his new role in the ODEPA- A period of 18 years at the head of the organization was ended, which was recognized by all attendees. In accordance with the Statutes, Mr. Carlos Silva, the first Vice-President, became the Interim President.

It should be mentioned that Miss Ana Paula González, held the position of Executive Secretary of ACODEPA from 2009 to 2017, which was a valuable support for the Pan American Sports Confederations, especially for her dedication, care and ability in the performance of her duties.
THIRD STAGE:
On July 26th, 2019, during of the XVIII Pan American Sports Games, the General Assembly of ACODEPA was held in Lima, Peru, with the assistance of delegates from the 38 affiliated Pan American Sports Confederations, having made the election of the Executive Committee for the period 2019-2023, being integrated as follows:
• President: Francisco Lee (GUA) - Wrestling
• First Vicepresident: Dale Neuburger (USA) - Aquatics
• Secretary General: Coco Budeisky (ARG) - Hockey
• Vicepresident: Ji Ho Choi (USA) - Taekwondo
• Vicepresident: Cecilia Farias (ARG) - Canoe
• Vicepresident: Liber García (URU) - Triathlon
• Vicepresident: Juan Antonio Vila Reinoso (DOM) - Table Tennis
• Treasurer: Miguel Carner (MEX) - Rugby
• Fiscal Commission: Federico Serna (MEX) - Squash
• Fiscal Commission: Eduardo Abdalah (NCA) - Bodybuilding and Fitness
• Member: Usie Richards (ISV) - Basketball
• Member: Naomi Chieko Valenzo (MEX) - Gymnastics
• Member: Alberto Herrera Ayala (COL) - Skate
• Member: Martín Faba Castro (CRC) - Bowling

It is important to highlight that it was the first time that the entire electoral process was conducted on the basis of the "Electoral Regulations" approved months earlier by the Executive Committee.
Thereafter, the following actions were carried out:
• ACODEPA headquarters were moved to Guatemala City, where is the President's place of residence.
• Professional services were contracted with a full-time administrative secretary and a Technical Manager, in order to provide a better service to the Pan American Sports Confederations.
• In support of the work of the Treasurer and in order to comply with the accountability policy, the services of an accountant and audit were contracted.
• 10 commissions are appointed to strengthen the work of ACODEPA.
• Changed the logo and institutional image with trademark registration.
• Communication through social networks was activated, modifying the official page and creating the accounts on twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Web realizada por Estudio Antídoto