VASANOC condolences message

As the National Association of Sport in Vanuatu, VASANOC and its member National Sport Federations are sorry to learn of the passing of HE Fr Baldwin Lonsdale Womtelo on Saturday 17 June 2017.

As the Head of State, late Fr Baldwin Lonsdale was the Patron of VASANOC and Vanuatu Sport but before this, he had always been a strong supporter of Youth and Sports in Vanuatu up until his passing.

He was Coordinator of Department of Youth and Sport in the mid 1990s and while he was SG of Torba Province, he was also volunteer VFF Coordinator of his Province.

In his swearing in address to Parliament in 2014, the Late Patron of VASANOC, stressed his appreciation in the country’s efforts in the development of sports amongst young people.

When the IOC President, Mr Thomas Bach, visited Vanuatu in 2015, he met with the late Patron of Vanuatu Sport. It was during this meeting that His Excellency confirmed Vanuatu’s support on the mention of “sport” in the following UN Declaration adopting the SDGs Agenda:

“Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives”.

Only a year ago in his address to the Parliament, the late President challenged the Government and Opposition to “invest more into sport” and added that he wanted to see the country develop its sporting facilities to be able to host regional and international events and to start competing competitively in international levels.

VASANOC President and Executive Board, staff and the leaders and athletes of the National Sport Federations of Vanuatu offer their sincere condolences and prayers to and for the Family of late Fr Baldwin Lonsdale Womtelo, the People of Torba Province and the nation of Vanuatu.