Pilar Fathers along with ODA Grassroots FA and Bidesh XI SC organizing Football camp in Sattari

 Pilar Fathers along with ODA Grassroots FA and Bidesh XI SC organizing Football camp in Sattari

Panjim:  There is a lot of sporting talent in Sattari taluka especially it comes to football and hockey, which over the years have not been tapped but things are changing thanks to the initiative of the Pilar Fathers who are very much interested to tap the talent and promote them at every given opportunity.

The Pilar Fathers, who have a full fledge hockey youth development programme for school children in Honda area have now ventured into football and what better way to kick start the journey with a summer coaching camp for boys who have completed their board exams.

“There are some 35 boys who are attending the camp, these children have answered their 10th and 12th exams...they have good talent but have not learnt football under any coaches so their fundamentals are weak, so the camp is to correct their basic fundamentals,” said Fr George Nandiyala of the Pilar Fathers.

Pilar Fathers Sports for youth development in collaboration with ODA Grassroots Football Academy and Bidesh XI Sports Club are organizing the summer football camp with the help of Honda sarpanch Shivdas Madkar, informed Fr George.

The significant feature of the Pilar Fathers hockey program, which caters to both boys and girls, is taking care of the school studies of the trainees with tuition classes arranged for them before their training session so that they do not lag behind in their academic studies.

For the records, Fr George played football and hockey at the college level and got his initial football coaching s lessons in Cuncolim.

“The camp took me to my younger days when we used to train under coach levino Dias and other coaches at Poitomaddo ground Cuncolim,” recalled Fr Geroge, who did his school studies in Our Lady of Health Cuncolim.

Fr George said that there are no football academies in Sattari and players from the taluka seldom get a chance to play for any the top clubs from the state.

“This camp will hopefully be attended by the talent scouts of the some of the big clubs of Goa and they will be selected for some of the big clubs of Goa, “hoped Fr George.

“The camp will also help us to scout good players also and at the end of the camp there will be league organised among the players on March 29,” added Fr George.

Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

 

Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University, two delegates from Goa attended the meet in Germany

 

BY Armstrong Vaz

 

When like-minded people come together amazing things happen, wrote Goa-born German-based Professor Ravi Xavier Fernandes on his LinkedIn page.

 

He was referring to the Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers, a two-day workshop held at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Braunschweig, Germany recently.

 

The Indo-German Bilateral Workshop on Future Energy Carriers: Advancing Bio-circular Economy for Clean Energy saw delegates from both India and German deliberate on various topics centered around Future Energy, Circular Economy, Clean Energy and Circular Bioeconomy.

 

For the unknown Circular Bioeconomy is an economy powered by nature. It is a new economic model that emphasizes the use of renewable natural capital and focuses on minimizing waste, replacing the wide range of non-renewable, fossil-based products currently in use.

 

“The willingness and motivation to work together through excellent ideas and diverse strengths and expertise made this Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers a big success,” said Ravi, an alumnus of Chowgule College Margao and Goa university, who traces his roots to Velim village.

 

The workshop, coordinated by Prof. Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Germany and Dr Sanjukta Subudhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and joint research initiatives between experts from both countries.

 

PTB, Germany for which Prof Ravi works is the National Metrology Institute of Germany with scientific and technical service tasks. PTB measures with the highest accuracy and reliability – metrology as the core competence. PTB stands for progress and reliability in metrology for the benefit of society, trade and industry, and science.

 

“Thanks a lot, dear delegates from India and Germany for your very active participation and lively discussions. This was the first of its kind IGSTC (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre) Workshop with Representatives from Academia, Industry, Research Institutions, Government Officials sitting on one table to discuss one of the most important topics on Sustainability. Looking forward to all our future bilateral and multilateral interdisciplinary collaborations,” added Prof Ravi.

 

The workshop topics included: Biofuel Production Technologies, Green Hydrogen Generation, Circular Economy Approaches, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment, Regulation, Codes and Standards, Business Models and Commercialization.

 

And there was more Goan connect to the workshop with Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along with Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University being the two delegates from Goa who attended the meet in Germany.

 

Dr. Levinson presentation centered around topic of “Unlocking Clean Energy: Harnessing Biomethanation for A Sustainable Bio-Circular Economy”

 

He made a strong pitch for Biomethanation as a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation and waste management and which stands at the forefront of sustainable waste-to-energy solutions, offering a pathway towards resource recovery and environmental stewardship.

 

He also favoured joint research in biomethanation technology.

 

“There is a need for more research in advancing biomethanation technology, looking forward to the vision for collaboration between India and Germany in advancing biomethanation technology, taking into account the strengths and expertise that each country brings to the table he envisaged the need for joint research in the field,” he said in his presentation.

 

Levinson also said that research work should center around odour control in biomethanation plants.

 

“Research interventions with respect to emerging technologies in odour management and integration of solid waste and sewage treatment plant and extraction of Methane gas,” are the other areas which need fine tuning, he said.

 

Taking a futuristic view of the emerging alternative fuels Levinson made a strong pitch on the need for future collaboration.

 

“Analysis of the future outlook for bio methanation technology and considering factors such as technological advancements, policy support, and market demand are some of the key areas where the focus of future research,” he said.

 

He also added that there should be identification of key requirements and challenges for scaling up biomethanation infrastructure, including investment, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness.

 

“Proposals for collaborative initiatives such as joint research projects, knowledge exchange programs and solutions through advance and cutting-edge technologies for problems faced currently to accelerate the adoption of bio methanation technology on a global scale,” were some steps he suggested in his talk, while urging delegates from Germany to visit Goa and make a field trip to the facilities and have a closer look at working of the solid waste management plants managed by

Goa Waste Management Corporation.

 

The other delegate from Goa Pranay was delighted that he was part of the brainstorming workshop.

 

His presentation centered around sustainability and climate change and the use of Nanomaterials to reduce carbon footprint.

 

“My presentation was about using Nanomaterials derived from waste to produce biofuels which can then be used to improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. I also presented how Catalytically CO2 can be converted to industrially important platform chemicals, to address global warming and climate change,” said the Goa University professor.

 

“This was one of the best bilateral research meetings that I attended. Intense and enlightening research discussions among some of the best Indo-German research groups. I am glad that I could attend and contribute to the success of this meet, even in a small way,” Pranay said.

 

“Hats off to Prof Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Sumit Agarwal and TERI and IGSTC for creating an excellent platform, successful coordination and organization,” he added. 

 

College professors begin survey of Impact of Covid-19 lock-down on Goan sportspersons

College professors begin survey of Impact of Covid-19 lock-down on Goan sportspersons 

Margao

Will the corona virus outbreak and lock down adversely affect the sporting careers and the entire sport industry in the near future that is question which has been troubling many a people who are directly and indirectly linked to it on the global stage.

In Goa it is no different, with uncertainty hanging around in the air; three physical education teachers have started a survey to study the impact the Covid-19 lock-down on training and daily routine of sportsperson and economic impact on the lockdown on the sports persons in the state.

Dr Anil Ramachandran, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kannur University, Kerala; Dr Rajan Mathew, Director of Physical Education, Govt. College, Quepem; and Milton Fernandes, Assistant Director of Physical Education & Sports, Goa University have began a survey and got in touch with various sports persons through the state to get their feedback over the same.

“The covid-19 lockdown has posed challenges to sportsperson in terms of their training and daily routine. Being researchers in the field,  we (Dr Anil Ramachandran, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kannur University, Kerala; Dr Rajan Mathew, Director of Physical Education, Govt. College, Quepem; and Milton Fernandes, Assistant Director of Physical Education & Sports, Goa University) are interested to know how you as a sportsperson have been able to cope with this lock-down restriction and how you are managing your training schedule and daily routine,” the three have written to different sportspersons and sought their feedback.

The sports professor’s survey focuses on many topics including the financial impact of the lockdown on their careers and the tournament or events they have missed during the Corona Virus Epidemic.

“Have you missed any important tournament/competition  you were preparing because of the lock-down?. Do you think that such loss and the lack of preparation and training during lock down will affect your sporting career at this juncture?

“Do you think that the lock down will add to the financial crisis to meet you training and competition post lock-down?,” they have asked.

The questions also touch the effect on their sporting careers post-Corona Virus.

“How much time do you think that you will require to get in shape and to the previous performance level after the lock-down period is over,” one of the questions asks the sports people.

The questions also touch on the mental health of the sports persons owing to the lack of sporting competitions.

“With uncertainty prevailing over the lock-down period, and no certainty of how long it will continue, are you facing greater mental toll (stress) in terms of keeping you motivated and fixing sporting career goal? Are you getting frustrated and depressed since you are not able to train and follow the daily routine you were following before the lock-down period?”, it adds.

The survey also seeks to know whether “there been increased or decreased engagement in the following activities - Exercise/Training, TV/Entertainment, Social media, Academic Pursuits, Business Pursuits , Online sources related to your game, Gardening, Household chores, Reading, Family time, Rest/Sleep, Other creative/innovative endeavours, Exercise/Training, TV/Entertainment, Social media, Academic Pursuits, Business Pursuits, Online sources related to your game, Gardening, Household chores, Reading, Family time, Rest/Sleep, Other creative/innovative endeavours -  during the lock-down period as compared to period before lock down?

The other questions relate to the number of training session before the lock down and during the lockdown period.

• How many sessions/hours were you practicing/playing/training before the lock-down period?

• How many hours do you train and involve in physical exercise during the lock down period ?

• What extent of training are you able to carry out during the lock-down as compared to your normal training period?

What type of training - Physical training, Skills and Technical training, Mental training, Yoga and Relaxation - do you do during the lock-down period to keep yourself fit and in shape?

• What are the different training modalities - Jogging/Running, Strength and Weight Training, Core and Stability Exercises, Circuit Training, Aerobics/Zumba and other dance forms, Yoga, Fitness training with resistance bands/Loops/Kettle-bells/Foam roller etc, Skipping - you are able to do during the lock-down period?

• Do you have advanced training facility at your home/residence during the lock down to meet your training requirements?

• What training facilities- Treadmill/ Cycle Ergometer, Multi-gym and advanced training equipment, General Weight Training Equipment, Resistance bands/Loops/Kettle-bells, etc, Skipping ropes / Cones and Training markers, Indoor Badminton Court, Outdoor Badminton Court, Courtyard, Terrace and Space inside House- do you have in your house for training?

• From where do you get training schedule - Coach,  Fitness Trainer, Coaching Academy, Friends and Peer players, Prepare on your own, From online sources from your academy/coaching center, From other online coaching sessions/videos - during the lock-down period?

• Are you regulating your dietary intake to compensate for the shortage of training and exercise?

• Are you taking assistance of a specialist dietitian to keep your body in shape and fit to re-start training post lock-down?

• Are you of the opinion that one needs to be equipped with basic training facilities and essential infrastructure at home itself to meet your training possibilities during such lock-down or emergency periods?

• If you are an injured athlete or recovering from injury/fitness issues do you have difficulties in getting assistance and support for rehabilitation and training?

Interested can fill up the form at http://forms.gle/H81zDZaTcySTZyA46

Ronaldo, Barcelona fan from India reaches out to poor people in Goa

Goan football coach along with UK and USA nationals rendering yeomen service in Palolem during lockdown

#lockdown, #Covid-19, #lockdown2020, #selfisolate, #quarantine, #lockdownextension, #lockdowndiaries, #staysafe, #21days, #lockdownday3, #stayhome, #qurantinelife, #IStayHome

A football coach, a businessman and a yoga teacher have come together under one roof in Goa. They have a common cause - reach out to the poor and needy people in the coastal beach side resort of Palolem.

Goan Akhil Pagui, UK-born Linda Russell and Andrew Mason, a UK citizen having business interests in Cambodia are on the field delivering essential food items to the needy people of Palolem ever since the lockdown was imposed.

Pagui, is a known Cristiano Ronaldo fan while Barcelona FC is his favouritie club.  He has been in to football coaching for the last one and half decade. His football coaching odessey has taken him to different part of the country. On the way he has been inspired by different football ideologies and come across varied football coaching mythologies.

But when the lockdown came calling in Palolem, he momentary set aside his football shoes. Instead for the last few weeks, distributing food grains and other essential items has become his priority.

In Palolem Beach area, one of the most popular beach in Goa, Akhil along with other local volunteers have identified around 20 families living without any financial support and who don't have money to buy provisions during the lockdown period.

“It's very challenging to those who are daily wage earners and who have absolutely no support. We have decided to provide them with support in the form of food packages and other essential items. This package will contain supplies for 10 to 15 days. Supplies will be distributed through a network of our volunteers in respective families. Cost of each packet is ₹ 1000/,” said Pagui.

 For the records, Pagui football journey started with Mumbai-based OSCAR Foundation, a organization which uses football as a platform to bring about change in the lives of the under prevailed children of the metropolis.

 Thereafter he has had coaching stings with Canacona Sports Academy (Goa), Lyceum Sports Club (Jaipur), Shanti Asiatic School (CBSE) Jaipur, Chinmaya school (Mumbai), Patel boarding school ( Gujarat , Bhachau), and  Concrete Involvement Football Academy ( C.I.F.A), his personal academy in (Vadodara Gujarat).

“CIFA aims to develop talented young footballers across India. We believe in holistic approach to football coaching development the player as well as the young person,” he said about his football academy and vision.

“CIFA understands the role sport can play in developing well rounded and successful young adults. As well as coaching football to high level CIFA also teaches children about health diet and how to build self confidence and concentration through their unique coaching games and drills,’ he added.

Working alongside and the driving force of the mission are two veteran from two different fields.

Bhakti Yogi teacher Russell has been a long time visitor to India dating back to nearly three decades while Mason, owner of franchise Big Easy Phnom Penh and Ko Rong Samloem, Cambodia, which generates money for charities in Cambodia, completes the circle. Mason has been extending his charitable hand to the India project initiated by Pagui and is a major fund raiser.

“So far we have raise rupees one lakh. More money is on the way hopefully thanks to the efforts of Linda Russell and Andrew Mason,” said Pagui.

“It’s a golden opportunity to change life to think creative or do something to stay with the family and people understand the value of food, especially the value of farmer. Everything is going to change. It's a learning of the life. How to leave peacefully. Here I'm helping  underprivileged people giving food and working as a social volunteer,” said Pagui.

Russell, stay put in Goa even as over 7,000 western tourists flew back to their respective countries via the special repartition flights arranged by the respective governments in association with their Indian counterparts.

“I have stayed back to help my Indian friend (Akhil Pagui) to feed the no income families in Palolem so they can survive this lockdown,” Linda said in response to a question.

A Bhakti Yogi for the last 26 years has so far been helping 15 to 20 families in Palolem since the first nationwide 21-day lockdown was announced on March 24 and its second extension happened till May 3, and which was further extended to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Linda describes Pagui as a ‘Spiderman’ ready to help people in need.

“I have met a young guy Akhil Pagui who has the rainbow above his head. Heartfelt kindness of which I have not seen in such a young chap in a long time. We are collectively are on a quiet mission here in India to help the needy. Selflessly he perseveres quietly like Spiderman with as much aid as we can help,” Linda says.

Russell says life has been hard for the local residents of Palolem residents, who have no income on their own in the lockdown period and were dependent on daily wages to keep the house fires burning.

”We shop and distribute basic staples such as fruit, vegetable, rice, flour etc. Some families went to the forest in search of food during the lockdown. We allocated families with adequate food to keep them well and healthy. Toiletries and must haves have been also been included,” she added.

Russell said her decision to stay back and help was with a view to pay back to India the country from where she has learnt many things over the years.

“Thank you India for my education of 26 years to give me an opportunity to give something good back. Love all, serve all,” she adds.

She informed that they are looking for more financial aid to help the families in the long run as they are running out of the money.

“We are raising money from the West and appealing for financial help,” she adds.

Meanwhile, American national Alexander Mark Kinaj has also joined the team and they have set up a crowdfunding appeal, details which will be shared shortly they said.

 

 

AFC Futsal instructor Joshuah Vaz conducts webinar for Goa and Maharashtra coaches

AFC Futsal instructor Joshuah Vaz conducts webinar for Goa and Maharashtra coaches

With social distancing and ban on gathering the norms of the day, many a sports associations are using the digital platform to inform and impart new training and coaching techniques to coaches.

The Goan futsal family has also adapted to the lockdown situation an

d are connecting coaches based in different parts of the state through the social networking website Zoom sessions.

Last week, Joshuah Vaz, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) instructor conducted a webinar for over 60 coaches who are imparting Futsal training in different parts of Goa and in the second session to Futsal coaches operating in Maharashtra.

“it was good to interact with 60+ coaches in Goa session and 260+ coaches in Maharashtra session and it was a good platform to give the correct and accurate knowledge on Futsal,” said the former India Under-16 international and co-owner of Youth futsal Academy, which operates from Chowgule College ground.

“Online Zoom Webinar organised by AIFC (All India Football Coaches) & AIFF for the Coaches of India during this lockdown• I would like to thank @the_aifc & Coaches Shekar and Caetano Pinho for including FUTSAL as a topic for this programme and giving me an opportunity to present the topic to all the coaches that attended the Webinar in the GOA region. I believe that FUTSAL is the way forward to making better football players and the right knowledge and education about this sport is important,” twitted Joshua, who incidentally is the lone Futsal Level 1 instructor in the country having passed his exam in February this year.

Joshuah, a former professional footballer with I-league club Churchill Bros, also got a chance to talk on the Futsal topic with coaches working in Maharashtra.

 “I got a chance to speak on Futsal as a topic at the Online zoom Webinar organised by AIFC (All India Football Coaches) & AIFF thereby giving me an opportunity to present the topic to the 260+ coaches from Maharashtra region.

“I believe that Futsal is the way forward to making better football players and the right knowledge and education about this sport is important,” he added.

Joshua, who spent a year in Portugal in 2007-2008 season while training with Vitoria de Guimaraes club, was appreciative of the support and backing for the world most popular game from Aaditya Thackerey, who besides been an official of WIFA is a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet.

 “It was also good to see the support that the humble Mr.Aaditya Thackeray is giving to football in Mumbai and I am hoping that he soon puts his hands into bringing up t he sport of Futsal in the Indian Subcontinent,” said the 30-year-old Fatorda resident.

Joshuah webinar interaction with coaches came in for praise from one of the participant who took to twitter to give his feedback.

“@JoshuahVaz led a great session on Futsal today at #AIFCWebinar for Maharashtra coaches. He is the only AFC Futsal Instructor in our country and I have been lucky to have learnt about the game under him at @YFA_GOA previously too. Always a pleasure learning from you coach!,” wrote Surya Prakash on his twitter handle @SuryaPrakash7.

Coach Zubin tweeting on his tweeter handle @spinchronous said: “This was by far the best  @theaifc  webinar till date.  Thank you to  @DineshNair74 @AUThackeray @SuryaPrakash7 @AlexAmbrose19 & all those who made it happen.  Special thanks to  @JoshuahVaz  for an amazing intro into Futsal & hoping to attend a level 1 course in Mumbai soon.”

Michael Jordan inspired me: Phelps

By Armstrong Vas

Los Angeles, California: Swimmer Michael Phelps said he looked up to basketball legend Michael Jordan for inspiration as a kid.

Speaking at the Doha Goals Forum here on Sunday, the Olympic champion who is making a comeback said: “As a kid I looked up to Jordan, because of what he did and how he changed the sport of basketball. That’s what I wanted to do in the sport of swimming. We’ve come a long way since 2000 and my first Olympic Games.”

The American legend who has won an astonishing 22 medals at the Olympic Games is one of several Olympic legends who are attending the two-day meet in Los Angeles, one of the greatest gatherings of Olympic legends outside of the Olympic Games.

The list included Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Greg Louganis, Apolo Ohno, Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan, Scott Hamilton, Meryl Davis, Hannah Teter, Abby Wambach, John Carlos and Ato Boldon.

Phelps was interviewed by Boldon, a four-time Olympic medallist and IAAF Global Ambassador from Trindad and Tobago. The swimmer also took questions from the audience.

One Special Olympics Games athlete asked Phelps where he keeps his medals and whether he looks at them for inspiration. Phelps answered: “ I think there’s only one person, maybe a handful of people in this world who know where my medals are… I probably have only looked at them about once or twice all together because there are so many other things that I want to do, whether it’s in the pool or out of the pool. My goals are nonstop.”

Phelps said he aims to have ‘fun’ on his comeback while the situation was different in 2012.

“Going into 2012, I felt like I had to finish there. I had to make it to 2012. Now, I’m just having fun.”

Asked to elaborate on the sequence leading to his comeback, he said: “It was like 9:30, 10 o’clock at night one day and I called him [coach Bob Bowman]. I was like, ‘what do you think about me coming back?’ he was like, ‘call me in the morning.’ So I called him the next morning and he knew that I was for real. I got back to Baltimore and we had a meeting and he’s like, ‘we’re going to do this the right way.’ That’s the way we’ve been doing it. I’m in a much better place now than I probably have ever been in my career.”

Walking down memory lane, Phelps said he did not win any medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 which made him very sad.

“I was so discouraged that I didn’t medal. I was fifth in my first Olympics at 15 [in his only race, the 200m butterfly]. I didn’t tie my suit. It was my first time out of the country. I was literally not prepared at all. But I wanted so much more, and I could never, ever settle unless I was the absolute best,” he recalled.

Regarding his Olympic memories he said: “The first [gold medal] was one of the coolest [the 400m individual medley at the Athens 2004 Olympics in world-record time]. Sort of never, ever forgetting exactly where my mom and I shared that first gold medal through a chain-link fence in Athens, Greece, because I was unable to get to my mom. So I passed it through this little chain-link fence [while holding a peanut butter sandwich and telling his mom, “Look what I did,” as has been reported often since 2004]. I think 2008, probably 200m free. I look at that race, and today, still, and say that’s probably my best race I’ve ever swam in my life from start to finish. It was kind of over at 15 meters. I was in the best shape possible. My stroke was perfect. Everything about that race, to me, was the best. [Phelps broke his world record in that event by nine tenths of a second]”

Phelps, who is a brand ambassador for the Special Olympics and took part in the march-past during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Games on Saturday, recalled his experiences in school where he was mocked at.

“As a kid, I was picked on. I was made fun of…I used to remember kids flicking [my ears] in school. I can still remember to this day, I remember the teacher and her name in middle school who told me that I would never succeed in anything that I would ever put my mind to.”

“I stood right at the bottom of the tunnel and watched all the athletes come out. You could feel the energy that was coming out…I guess I kind of thought back to what it would have been like if I was able to experience that [Phelps who  has never attended an Olympic Opening Ceremony]…It just sent chills up my body,” Phelps said.

The ongoing Special Olympics Games features 25 sports. Hosts USA, with 491 athletes, has the biggest contingent at the Games while India have sent 338 athletes and Russia have 252 athletes taking part. THE PENINSULA

Special Olympics World Games begin

By Armstrong Vas

Los Angeles, California: Twenty eight athletes from Qatar were part of a colourful opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games, which were declared open by US First Lady Michelle Obama here on Saturday night.

Joy, acceptance, courage, determination, unity and especially inclusion were the central themes of the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, this year attended by 6,500 athletes representing 165 countries.

Michelle Obama praised the athletes for their courage and determination, noting they were an example to the millions of people watching the opening ceremony in their living rooms.

“My husband and I, we are so proud of you, so incredibly proud of you, and we love you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the First Lady said.

“You are filling us with so much hope. Uniting us in a way that nothing else can,” she added.

The inspiring opening ceremony took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the only venue in the world to host two Olympiads (1932 and 1984), which was filled by nearly 62,000 spectators.

The star-studded opening ceremony, which lasted for four hours and 41 minutes, featured exciting entertainment, parade of athletes, culmination of the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch run, lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron and ended with a fireworks display.

Headlined by Stevie Wonder, the opening ceremony included performances by Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R., Cody Simpson, J Balvin, Becky G, Cassadee Pope and Reach Up LA theme song creator Siedah Garrett. Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen directed the show, which was produced by Five Currents. Stars from TV, film and sports also made appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Lauren Potter, Michael Phelps, Colin Farrell, Greg Louganis and Stephanie McMahon.

Four Special Olympics gold medallists who are representing host countries from the past four Special Olympics World Games and are competing in the 2015 Summer World Games served as flagbearers during the opening ceremony. Flagbearers included Special Olympics USA athlete Nikia Davenport, Special Olympics Hellas Athlete Flora Vermisoglou, Special Olympics Ireland athlete Oliver Doherty and Special Olympics China athlete Xing Le.

Special Olympics International Global Messengers David Egan and Nitzeida Galves were involved as well, holding speaking roles alongside celebrities for the evening. The show culminated with the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, with Special Olympics Nigeria athlete Solomon Jegede, Special Olympics Nepal athlete Pradip Adhikari, Special Olympics Mongolia athlete Davaa Magvansuren, Special Olympics Iranian athlete Horieh Golchin, Special Olympics Israel athlete Eliyahu Somer, Special Olympics Cuba athlete Darianny  Urtado and Special Olympics USA athlete Destiny Sanchez all serving as torchbearers for the lighting of the Special Olympics World Games cauldron.

Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver energized the crowd with an urgent call to action where there is a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities, saying, “This is your moment. This is our time. The wind is at your backs. You look everywhere and see nothing but the beauty in the world. How lucky we are to be with you.”

Host USA with 491 athletes taking part is the biggest continent followed by India with 338, while Russia has sent 252 which will end here on August 2.

The World Games features 25 sports, 290 events including 23 with Unified Partners and Unified Sports Experience exhibitions at 23 Venues around Los Angeles, including locations at UCLA, USC and in Long Beach, California. The Games run from July 26 to August 2. THE PENINSULA

Doha Goals starts in Los Angeles

By Armstrong Vas

Los Angeles: Qatar – which has emerged as one of the leading sports hub of global sports – is looking forward to developing long-term initiatives to promote sport as vehicle for creating a more inclusive society, commented H E Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak Al Thani Executive Director of Doha Goals Forum.  

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Doha Goals Forum H E Sheikh Faisal said: “As a nation, Qatar is a strong advocate for the power of sport: it is one of the pillars of our country’s vision. Through the leadership of H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, the country is committed to developing sport for the nation, for our citizens, and most importantly for our next generation.”

The three-day forum, a leading platform for social and economic progress through sport, opened on Sunday in Los Angeles, California - the first time the event is being held outside Qatar.

“Sport is an integral part of our education system, and we treat it with equal importance whether our elite young athletes are training at Aspire Academy, or through community projects encouraging everyone to become more active,” he added.

“Based on the conviction (sport is a powerful tool of change), we decided to create a platform, the Doha Goals Forum. Goals stands for A Gathering Of All Leaders In Sport. In fact, it is a gathering of all people, who share our vision that sport is a unique tool for social progress and economic development, and for building a more inclusive society,” added Sheikh Faisal.

For the last three editions world-class athletes, policy makers, global chief executive officers and leading non-governmental organisations met in Doha to create a roadmap for social improvement through sports and launch cross-border initiatives.

H E Sheikh Faisal said sports has a strong role to play in society.

“Sport not only brings us together, but history has showed it has an unique role in fostering peace, cross cultural understanding and changing the ‘World for the Better,’” he added, while addressing a gathering which included  students from around 23 top sport management programmes in the US and Canada.

“From the day we launched, Doha Goals has been vocal in its commitment to facilitating real change.  We have announced a series of initiatives – many that have come from ideas provided by the Doha Goals community – over the last 3 years,” he said. “These initiatives are proof of our commitment to be a catalyst for new ideas, as they are all built around partnerships (new and old) with the private sector, inter-government bodies, NGOs and individuals, ” he added.

Change, he said, cannot occur by itself, and the best chance any new initiative has to succeed – and to last – is for it to be built on solid connections and relationships.

He also emphasized on the need to use sports as a catalyst for change in society.

Explaining the decision to tie up with Special Olympics Games, which began here on Saturday night H E Sheikh Faisal said: “In 2015, Doha Goals has to the “home of sport and entertainment,” due to our friendship and shared vision with the Special Olympics, the world’s most wide-reaching organisation focusing on sport for development. On behalf of Doha Goals Forum, we extend our personal congratulations to Mr Tim Shriver and his family for their historic leadership in developing the Special Olympics into a Global Social Movement.

“Our partnership will go beyond this week’s presence during the World Games, and we look forward to developing long-term initiatives to promote sport as vehicle for creating a more inclusive society,” he said, while welcoming delegates to two exciting days of collaboration and engaging discussion in Los Angeles. “We have tried to bring a little piece of Qatar with us to Los Angeles and I hope that the Doha Goals Forum 2015 will give you the will to support our initiatives and join us in our call to action.

“This year’s Forum is very much about what we, as individuals, and as local, national and global citizens, can do to promote the many facets of sport. Over the past three years, thousands of participants have come together under the Doha Goals umbrella.  They have held up their hands to be counted as we build a platform for change.

“Let’s use the platform we have here in LA, during the Special Olympics World Games, and the attention that sporting events attract to address some of the greatest divisions and problems that exist in our society,” he added.

Some of the top athletes  who are attending the  meet in LA are 22-time medalist and world champion Michael Phelps, three-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Nadia Comenici, nine-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis, two-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Bart Conner, nine-time Olympic champion swimmer Mark Spitz and former Brazil captain Cafu.

THE PENINSULA