President and Gen. Sec. of Belize Cycling Federation Resign

Kaya Cattouse

The President and the General Secretary of the Cycling Federation of Belize have resigned. President Alicia Thompson told News Five that, “It was just too much and I could not handle it. At the elections we said that we would need volunteers and we did not get any…I was honored to have served my members if even for a short time.” General Secretary Allan Auil said “I was pleased to serve the members of CFB this year, and I thank them  for placing their trust in me and the other  Executive Officers. I am confident that the Federation is left in good hands, and I believe our work this year has improved the Cycling Federation and moved it forward.” He went on to say that “unfortunately the beefy part of the cycling racing calendar coincides with the height of the tourism season (New Years through to Easter), making it difficult for me to fulfill all my responsibilities in a worthy enough manner, while also managing a tourism related business. For this reason I decided to step down.” For some, these resignations were no surprise. We have been hearing for months that the President was considering resigning. Now the question is, what happens now? Who will lead the Federation? Cyclist Kaya Cattouse says she will not run again while criticizing the resignations.

Kaya Cattouse, Cyclist

“What has been happening in cycling is as of no result of the federation. It is of the result of different clubs that have been hosting races and getting cyclists prepared for basically international events. The federation has just been piggybacking on the cyclists and what we have when we go outside to compete.”

Hipolito Novelo

“What Miss Thompson and Mr Alan had said that basically the work was too much. Is that a good enough reason for them to share? I mean, they took on the responsibility to be the leaders of the federation.”

Kaya Cattouse

“Saying that the work is too much is, for me, is no excuse. Wanting to run for the Cycling Federation, you must know what you are running to represent. You must know what you are getting yourself into. You must know the work that you are about to take on. Having sitting, being seated in the seat for one year and now say that the work is too much, for me that is, that is not a really good reason to step down. I believe that they knew the work prior to getting in. Whoever was setting them up to run, um, probably didn’t pull through for them. And now they realize that, man, I can’t do this on my own, so let me back out. But, for me it already looks bad. You signed up for four years and you can’t handle the job. Why sign up for it in the first place?”