Dominica Olympic Committee President Billy Doctrove has called on national sporting associations to strengthen their planning and athlete development programmes, urging organisations to prepare competitors well before invitations to regional and international tournaments are received.
Speaking ahead of the Dominican Olympic Committee’s Olympic Values Education Programme Train-the-Trainer workshop, Doctrove said sustained preparation is essential if Dominican athletes are to compete successfully on the international stage.
He expressed concern that some sporting associations begin assembling teams only after a competition has been announced, leaving athletes with insufficient time to train and develop as a cohesive unit.
According to Doctrove, national programmes should operate continuously rather than around competition schedules, allowing athletes to improve their skills, fitness and tactical understanding throughout the year.
He stressed that international events should be viewed as opportunities, “We should have programmes in place. We should not wait until a tournament is announced before trying to put together a team,” Doctrove said.
The Olympic Committee President noted that consistent coaching, structured training and long-term athlete development are critical to improving Dominica’s performances in regional and international competition. He said athletes who benefit from regular preparation are more likely to compete confidently and produce stronger results.
His comments come as the Dominican Olympic Committee continues investing in coaching, education and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s sporting system. The latest Train-the-Trainer workshop will bring together educators, sports officers and federation coaches to promote Olympic values while enhancing coaching knowledge and leadership within the local sporting community.
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