Development

Palau Showing Support for Peace-Through-Sport Movement with White Cards

Monday, April 23, 2018 - 07:01 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

Palau has been actively supporting the peace-through-sport movement by displaying a white card as part of their digital campaign to show their commitment to peace and sports efforts worldwide. 

The annual campaign recognizes the importance of the peace-through-sport movement, capturing the attention of millions of people each year through social networks in the lead up to International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP). As part of the White Card campaign, Olympians and members of the Olympic family are invited to hold up a symbolic white card and share a photo of themselves doing so on social media.

The first display of the white card was in Peleliu State during the outreach program and sports events that began on April 7 and concluded on April 9 in commemoration of Palau National Olympic Day and the third anniversary of the Emperor and Empress of Japan historic visit to Palau. Mats were provided by United World Wrestling.

On April 9, the first beach wrestling competition took place in Peleliu. After the competition, wrestlers displayed the white card as part of their Olympic support. 

The symbolic white card was displayed by students at Ngarchelong Elementary, Ngeremlengui Elementary and Ngaraard Elementary after taking part in the wrestling outreach PE program. 

According to John Tarkong Jr., Olympian and President of the Palau Olympians & Athletes Commission (POAC), "This is our way of showing the world that Palau is committed on promoting peace and sport as a means of change in Palau and the world when conducting our activities and events. This effort is also in line with the Presidential Proclamation designating 2018 as the Year of Good Health."

United World Wrestling Joins World Taekwondo for Historic Event at Azraq Refugee Camp

Saturday, July 20, 2019 - 12:27 By Tim Foley

Share this article

AMMAN, Jordan (July 20, 2019) – United World Wrestling (UWW), World Taekwondo (WT), and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) hosted the first-ever joint Olympic-sport training event, named Aspire 2gether for Peace, in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

The joint event is a tangible outcome of the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UWW, WT, and THF on 22 October 2018 to promote humanitarian, peace and social-development through sport. The Aspire 2gether for Peace event, sees UWW unite with WT and THF to deliver wrestling training to refugees at the existing Humanitarian Taekwondo Center.
 


The event was attended by a senior delegation from all three organizations and included WT President and  THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, Olympic gold medallists and THF/WT Ambassadors, Wu Jingyu and Ahmed Abu Ghaush; UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey and Olympic medallists and UWW Ambassadors, Arsen Julfalakyan and Clarissa Chun. IOC Executive Board Member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein attended on behalf of the IOC and UNHCR delegates attended the event on Filippo Grandi’s behalf.

THF/WT President Choue delivered an opening address, and UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey also gave a speech on behalf of UWW President Nenad Lalovic, ‘Playing sport helps children building mental strength, resilience and fundamental skills. Thanks to the Jordanian Royal family and WT and THF to have invited United World Wrestling to this historic joint-event. We are delighted to have joined forces with World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation to show that our MoU was not just words, but the start of a real and tangible partnership which will benefit refugee children around the world.’


A wrestling demonstration with the refugee children was carried out following the Azraq taekwondo team demonstration. Wrestling and Taekwondo lessons were also given to the refugee children later of the day.


Arsen Julfalakyan (ARM) UWW ambassador and Athletes Commission Member said: “It is great to contribute to the lives of the refugees through sport and thanks to the opportunity given by the WT and THF, wrestling is in the Azraq sporting programme. The refugees need sport in their lives which will enhance their current difficult situation with the hope that peace will reach their country. UWW is very proud to inspire the future generations."


United World Wrestling is committed to making a long-term contribution to improve the lives of the refugee children in Azraq. Together with Jordanian Olympic Committee and Jordanian Wrestling Federation, 4 local coaches will be running a 6- day a week schedule to provide wrestling lessons to children currently living in the camp.