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.