Carlos Nuzman: Time to Give Back to PASO - Exclusive

(ATR) The Pan American Sports Organization presidential candidate from Brazil Carlos Nuzman says the organization needs a makeover to become a leader in the Olympic Movement once more.

"PASO needs my contribution and it is time for me to give back to this iconic organization," Carlos Nuzman says in his campaign manifesto seen first by Around the Rings.

"The stakes are very clear and the size of the task will demand courage and unity," the Brazilian Olympic Committee president says. "We all want PASO to be a leading sports organization."

In the manifesto, Nuzman aims to leverage his connections established throughout the Olympics to demonstrate that he would provide PASO the best opportunity to grow. Nuzman specifically points to his friendship with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, displaying several photos of the two together throughout the PowerPoint manifesto.

The Rio 2016 president’s manifesto is balanced on three pillars of Olympism, the Pan American Games and the New PASO.

These pillars primarily focus on the modernization of the PASO administration, including the addition of new commissions with guaranteed athlete seats, working with International Federations to include more sports in the Pan American Games and the creation of a PASO news agency to improve its communications strategy.

However, Nuzman’s first objective is bringing its flagship event back to its former glory.

"Number one goal: bring the Pan American Games back to its prominent status as the second most important multisport event in the world," Nuzman says.

Nuzman also highlights the need for PASO to create a greater social media presence with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages to connect to a younger generation of sport fans.

An emphasis on increased marketing and sponsorship opportunities is also a key theme of Nuzman’s manifesto. He is the first candidate to discuss the implementation of the Olympic Channel and its ability to support PASO’s growth. He also says he wants to redesign PASO’s television and commercial rights deals whenever possible.

"[PASO needs to] Initiate dialogue with sponsors in a new framework," the manifesto states. "Create a professional marketing team that will approach global and regional sponsors looking for long term PASO centered partnerships."

He addresses the need for more satellite offices of PASO outside of the headquarters in Mexico City. Nuzman says he would initiate a feasibility study for offices in Miami, Florida that would serve as an easier travel destination for many PASO NOCs.

Nuzman is competing with Chilean Olympic Committee president Neven Ilic, former Dominican Republic NOC president Jose Puello and St. Vincent and the Grenadines NOC general secretary Keith Joseph to become PASO’s next president.

One of the four candidates will be elected at the PASO general assembly in Punta del Este, Uruguay on April 26.

Click here to download Nuzman's manifesto.

All photos from Nuzman's manifesto.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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