Sport promotes regional cooperation and identity
PRESS STATEMENT(232/07)
6th December 2007 SPORT PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AND IDENTITY Pacific Forum Leaders recognize the important role of sport as it promotes regional cooperation and a Pacific identity. “In noting the importance of sports in the social, cultural and economic life of Pacific Island Countries, Leaders have encouraged their National Sports and Olympic Federations to work together in the region to develop and implement regional programmes and projects that would optimally employ the limited resources available to their countries,” says Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Speaking at the launch of the Fiji Oceania Sport Education Programme Symposium in Suva, Fiji today, Mr Urwin said the Pacific Plan, which was endorsed by Pacific Leaders in 2005, stipulates the enhancement of regional sporting networks to support the developmental role of sport. “The aim of the Pacific Plan is to achieve the vision of our Leaders that all people should be able to live free and worthwhile lives. And sport is, manifestly, a critical part, actually and potentially of the lives of Pacific people, something which does and should bear directly on the quality of those lives,” says Mr Urwin. The University of the South Pacific is establishing a set of sports programmes with majors in Sports Science, Sports Medicine, Drugs and Law, Sports Management and Sports Psychology. USP is also working with the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) in proposals for the creation of a regional sporting institute. In the meantime, USP has put in place a number of programmes and activities which may eventually be part of such a regional sporting institute. Mr Urwin also pointed out that the sports community is a major contributor to Pacific economies through the employment opportunities it creates and it is an effective way of giving young people purpose and providing structure in their lives. “Sport does promote regional cooperation and Pacific identity. An increasing number of our sports people are being employed overseas, are excelling and taking with them a distinct Pacific brand. Many are providing support for their families and their earnings have become a significant source of remittances. “The region certainly has an abundance of natural talent, but it importantly needs the expertise to develop this to elite levels. The Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) is aimed at assisting sporting organisations to reach that goal,” Mr Urwin said. OSEP is a collaborative project involving the Australian Sports Commission, the Oceania National Olympic Committees and the Olympic Sports Federations of Oceania to develop a regional approach to sport education by developing flexible, relevant and modern competency based curricula to be delivered throughout the Pacific. ENDS. |
2007