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| *Peace Through Sport Program
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The Ecoflag flew in Northern Uganda at an Africa Youth Ministries 'peace through sport program' that included components of environmental awareness and tree planting.
Some of the boys involved were terribly devastated by the war, being abducted by rebels and so on.
There is always an urgent need for sports/ soccer boots, especially for an upcoming International Women's Day Tournament on 8th Match 2010. The tournament is geared up to HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, peace building, environmental education, domestic violence etc.
Albert Kunihira of Africa Youth Ministries can be seen speaking to the community leaders at a community meeting as well as donating soccer balls to community leaders.
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| *Kayaking and the Environment in Pinar del Rio, Cuba
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Kayak athletes in Pinar del Rio, as part of the GSA Cuba's strategy to spread the Ecoflag Movement through every sports in the territory, began a plan of activity to take care of the environment and raise awareness about sea conservation.
The coast where they mostly practice is located in the community of "la Coloma". Among the institutions included in this plan are the fishing port, the Filiberto Acanda Secondary school, and the Fire Station. This work is also focused on the restoration and cleanup of the four Medical Clinics and some other institutions.
The main problems are water pollution, the housing conditions, and the highways and roads. This region in spite of being a fishing area is one of the most productive in the country and it is important to guarantee recreational areas for these active and hard working people.
Report by Lic Mirrey Moreno Reyes and MSc. Fernando Emilio Valladares Fuente
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On 12 October, GSA New York supported the Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon for the second year. The triathlon features a 6-mile kayak paddle, 24-mile road bike ride and an 8-mile trail run and serves to promote the richness of opportunity to enjoy the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System. The Greenway program, sponsored by the State of New York, encourages non-motorized travel to sites of historic interest, awesome natural beauty and recreational value.
Putnam County Recycling accepted GSA New York's invitation to partner in efforts to manage the event's recyclables. The County generously provided the GSA team with recycling containers for the day to divert beverage cans and bottles from the waste stream. Event participants enthusiastically used these receptacles.
This event in Philipstown also marked the GSA team's second year of support of the New York Recycles! Program, an initiative of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Ecoflag message was clearly understood as all involved found it natural to "Think environment" in the magnificent Hudson Highlands. GSA New York applauds the continued efforts of the Triathlon organizers to produce a Green event that is truly a celebration of healthy people in a healthy environment.
Greenway Triathlon
New York Recycles
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I was able to fly the ecoflag at the fidelity games--an annual games organized by Fidelity Bank plc that took place on the 17th October 2009 at the University of Lagos sports complex in Nigeria.
Akpomena Obaro
GSA Ikeja Team Captain
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The Ecoflag flew at the 62nd Race Up Mt. Fuji on 24 July. Unfortunately, because of the bad weather, we had to turn back and didn't get a picture of the Ecoflag at the finish line, but a 3-man camera crew took some pictures as they collected garbage on the way down from the 6th station to the 5th station.
Toshiaki Kurebayashi, GSA Chigasaki Rachien St. Team Captain
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All cities need pharmacies, schools, hospitals, churches and a nice park or sports area where kids can spend free time and grow healthy. Cuba is a country that has many such areas, but it is still not uncommon to find communities that do not have sports areas due to economic restrictions.
But Cubans are inventive and Mr. Dayami Diaz Amador and GSA Cuba team members in Pinar del Rio provided this day's activities including an educational talk with children and young people in the community with the aim of forming an environmental conscience in our future generations, before enjoying a day of sport. The kids were very interested in contributing to the Ecoflag Movement.
Report by MSc. Fernando E. Valladares
GSA Cuba Team Captain
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| *All Japan Beach Volleyball Junior Tournament
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The 8th All Japan Beach Volleyball Junior Tournament took place from 6-9 August 2009 at Pitchi Pitchi Beach in Osaka. The Osaka Prefecture Beach Volleyball Association were there to fly the Ecoflag and spread Ecoplay among players and spectators.
GSA Partner: Osaka Prefecture Beach Volleyball Association
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| *Yaounde Omnisport Stadium
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I am in the annex 2 of the Yaounde Omnisport Stadium on Saturday June 20. I went there to share the Ecoflag on the occasion of the semi-final match of the 2009 Womenfs Football Cup of Cameroon 2009 between FRANK ROHLICECK of Douala and LOUVE MINPROFF of Yaounde. The visitors were beaten 2-1.
Believing in the sportsmanship principles in GSAfs philosophy, I was sad to see the stadium was not cleaned up, especially as a delegation of the FIFA women football commission was present.
I decided to be an example to everybody present by cleaning along the left side of the field of play as you can see in the photos. I did this for more than 25 minutes.
I also went to share my Ecoflag at the stadium during the International Meeting of Athletics of Yaounde organized by the African Athletics Confederation. The event was attended by more than six African countries and covered by international TV and Radio Channels like TV 5, Africa n1, and many local medias
Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou
Team Captain
GSA Douala, Cameroon
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The Fukaura Sports Festival took place at the Kizukuri HS Sports Ground on 7 June 2009.
The Ecoflag flew alongside the town flag and young and old joined in the dayfs events.
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| *The North Face Endurance Challenge
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On 9 May, GSA New York participated in The North Face Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain, New York. GSA-NY partnered with The North Face to manage the event's recycling efforts with GSA volunteers diverting aluminum, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard from the waste stream.
The Endurance Challenge featured trail runs of 10K, half-marathon, 50K and 50 miles through the difficult terrain and magnificent scenery of Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks, 45 miles north and west of New York City.
GSA-NY commends The North Face for their efforts to minimize the environmental impact of this 1000-runner event and their "Journey Towards Sustainability" commitment.
GSA-NY especially appreciates its dedicated volunteers, some of whom worked 12+ hours in the Ecoflag Recycling Center tent.
The North Face Endurance Challenge
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As our last activity report from the field , enclosed are some photos we recorded while promoting the Ecoflag near "Le Fleuve Wouri"--the maritime zone of Douala Town on Sunday, May 3rd.
During this, as you can see in some pictures, we distributed GSA pamphlets and the press release of the last IOC WORLD CONFERENCE ON SPORT AND ENVIRONNEMENT held on Vancouver Canada on the theme of "INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION :HARNESSING THE POWER SPORT FOR CHANGE".
We also taught them about NPO GSA's objectives and we invited them to lent their support to our project. Some of them were very impressed with GSA's objectives and they agree to support us, and also promised to cross their fingers so that our project can gain a good expansion here in Cameroon.
Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou
Team captain GSA Douala, Cameroon
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The 17th Ie Island Marathon took place on in April 2009, attracting 1,831 runners from across Japan.
A GSA panel exhibition accompanied the Ecoflag in raising awareness and drew a lot of attention among the runners and spectators.
Report by Toyofumi Fukuchi, GSA Ie Island Team Captain
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| *Street Basketball In Cameroon
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I am very proud to send you photos we took during an exhibition basketball match among some young boys from popular squares here in Douala named Bonapriso, Bali, and Koumassi.
The event took place on an old basketball field located at "Carrefour Cite des Douanes" in Bali Square. So during this occasion as you can see the Ecoflag has been shared by the players and also we introduced them to the Ecoflag Movement. They were very enthusiastic and they wished to take an active part in your project. Doing so, they advised me to continue my Ecoflag promotion by promoting street basketball games among young players around the Douala town.
Report by Jean Philippe Kono Amougou
GSA Douala Team Captain
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| *27th Konosu Bunji Marathon
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The Bunji Marathon took place on 7 March 2009 at the Konosu sports ground in Saitama prefecture with 3100 athletes taking part.
The Ecoflag flew at the event and an appeal made to increase awareness among all athletes that enjoy playing sport in a healthy, clean environment. Special focus was also paid on asking athletes and spectators to stop idling their cars and to take their own garbage home.
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22 February 2009--The final race day was full of fun as we saw athletes from all over the world running in the streets of Lagos. Here are some pictures from the 20-kilometer mark--a kilometer from the finish line. Over 60,000 people registered to run the race and many other international renowned marathoners participated in the race including Kenyans, who are almost always expected to win at long-distances. At the Glo Half Marathon their dominance was proven beyond doubt, as they became first to cross the finishing line in the male and female categories.
Luke Kibet, winner of the 2007 Men's Marathon at the 11th International Association of Athletics Federations' World Athletics Championships in Osaka, cruised past the line in exactly one hour, one minute and eight seconds to win the Glo Half Marathon. It was a good platform to fly the Ecoflag as a number of people were attracted and they came forward to know more about the Ecoflag. Interestingly, one of the Directors of the Glo Marathon has invited GSA LAGOS ISLAND to visit their office so that we can officially partner with their event organizers.
Report by Ogulala Jude, GSA Lagos Island Team Captain
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| *Sporec Miyazaki 2009 PR Event
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Many people gathered on 21 February 2009 at Sunmarine Stadium in Miyazaki to watch top level players at a WBC Samurai Japan and Yomiuri Giants baseball teams training camp.
In Ballpark G, next to the Stadium, a 'Sporec Miyazaki 2009' PR event took place with booths, presentations, a quiz and a chance to try out interesting new sports.
The 22nd Sports and Recreation Festival (Sporec Miyazaki 2009) will take place in October and as GSA is an event partner, the Ecoflag will be flown by city, town and official event organizations in Miyazaki.
GSA Miyazaki had a booth at the PR event and questions about the Ecoflag were included in the quiz, which was very interesting for all the participants.
Sporec Miyazaki 2009
Report by GSA Miyazaki Team Captain, Mihoko Hosoyamada
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| *Globacom International Half Marathon Corporate Run
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We are happy to inform you that we have covered a major sporting event here in Lagos Island, we have pictures of some marathoners and officials at the Globacom International half Marathon Corporate run that brought together major institutions from the large sector of the Nigerian Economy. We also have the Nigerian Police involved in the campaign for the environment.
Mr Archer the Head of corporate run had a brief discussion with us and he promise to give us more time to discuss the Ecoflag with him and also give us another opportunity to fly Ecoflag at Globacom Sponsored sports events.
Ogulala Jude
GSA Lagos Island Team Captain
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| *Glo International Half Marathon |
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On the 14th of February Glo (a leading telecommunication company in Nigeria) organized a marathon where GSA Ikeja Team was able to fly the flag and enlighten participants of the GSA.
1. The first picture is with Mr. Mike Achia (Head of corporate sports, Glo Nigeria limited) we were able to discuss GSA with him and how we can participate in future events flying the GSA flag.
2. Mike agreed to associate with GSA and flew the flag in the picture
3. The GSA flag being flown at the touch line of the Marathon at the prestigious Ocean View restaurant Victoria Island Lagos.
4. Another participant who won posing with security men to fly the GSA flag after they have gotten our awareness campaign.
5. A participant Mr Nwachuku flying the GSA flag after educating him and giving him a flier of GSA.
Another International half marathon is going to be taking place in Lagos on the 21st of this Month and the GSA Ikeja team will be actively involved again to carry the GSA message.
Obaro Akpomena.
Team Captain (GSA Ikeja Team)
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Enclosed are some Ecoflag photos that I took last weekend while promoting the Ecoflag Movement at the Happy Sports Center swimming pool and Sawaland swimming pool.
Those two sports centers are located in a popular square here in Douala called Bonamoussadi. On this occasion the Ecoflag flew as you can see in the pictures with young enthusiastic swimming fan's .All those fan's are looking forward to see themselves on the GSA World website.
Report by GSA Douala Team Captain, Jean Philippe Kono Amougou
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| *GymGabby Thai Boxing Association of Nigeria |
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This as a warm up training section of GymGabby Thai Boxing Association of Nigeria. I had the opportunity to fly the Ecoflag at their training on the 6th December.
The GymGabby Thai Boxing Association of Nigeria is having a major contest on the 14th December and we have entered into an arrangement with Mr Gabriel who is the coach to be at the event to fly the Ecoflag.
The first picture is of me (wearing a white tea shirt and blue joggers) and Mr. Gabriel of GymGabby Thai Boxing Association of Nigeria.
The other picture is that of the coach of GymGabby Thai Boxing Association of Nigeria training with some of the athletes who will be representing them against their Thailand masters who are visiting on the 14th December 2008 to Lagos, Nigeria.
Report by Akpomena Obaro
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Recycling programs in New York State communities are generally well established and increasingly effective. Regrettably, this is not always the case when it comes to many sports events where provisions for diverting recyclable materials from the waste stream are often lacking.
In an effort to promote recycling awareness among sports enthusiasts in Rockland County New York, GSA-NY has formed a partnership with Keep Rockland Beautiful (KRB), a non-profit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Through this alliance GSA-NY aims to reduce waste and encourage recycling by informing teams and sports organizations of the social, economic and environmental benefits of recycling.
This initiative was launched on 26 October at a Tri-County Fall Ball League softball game in Rockland County between the Red Raiders and the Pearl River Pride and was a resounding success. The event was officially registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's program New York Recycles! part of the national campaign that culminates on America Recycles Day on 15 November.
KRB provided clearly marked recycling containers for cans and bottles, which were positioned in the dugouts and around the ballfield. GSA-NY addressed the players before the game to introduce the Ecoflag and to explain the importance of recycling and the significance of the event. The more sustainable choice of reusable sports bottles was encouraged as a preferable strategy of overall waste reduction, a basic principle of Ecoplay.
One player asked, "Why don't we recycle at all of our games?" In the months ahead, GSA-NY will be echoing that question at sporting events around the region.
LINKS:
New York Recycles
Keep Rockland Beautiful
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| *SUPOREKU Ayazaki 2009 Pre-Event |
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SUPOREKU Ayazaki 2009 Pre-Event took place on 26 October 2008 at Florante Miyazaki. 4000 participants took part in the event, including members of GSA Miyazaki.
At the start line 2 SUPOREKU ambassadors and 2 GSA members read out the Ecoplay Declaration.
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| *New York's Greenway Triathlon |
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On 28 September 2008 the New York team of the Global Sports Alliance partnered with the Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon and flew the Ecoflag at the event in Philipstown, NY.
GSA-NY allied with the Triathlon organizers and shared the principles of Ecoplay in planning for this 'green' event.
GSA-USA's recently drafted Recommended Ecoflag Event Guidelines provided a template to translate these principles into actions which included; well planned recycling arrangements, event t-shirts and hats made from recycled materials, intensive litter prevention and the prominent display of the Ecoflag to underscore GSA's message. "Think environment!"
The Triathlon featured a 6-mile kayak paddle, 24-mile road bike ride and an 8-mile trail run. The event was co-sponsored by the eminent New York environmental organization Scenic Hudson which has worked to protect this majestic region since 1963.
The mission of the Greenway Triathlon is to promote the richness of opportunity to enjoy the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System in all its forms: woodland trails, bicycle routes and the Hudson River Water Trail. Guided by the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail Vision Plan, created by the New York State Legislature in 1991, the Greenway encourages non-motorized travel to sites of historic interest, awesome natural beauty and recreational value. Ultimately, the Greenway Triathlon is a celebration of the robust Hudson environment, the result of a generation of citizen-based advocacy and hard work.
LINKS:
Hudson River Valley Greenway
Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon
Scenic Hudson
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