A Children�s Sport Day closes
the 1^st Africa International Sports Convention

Dakar, 6 February 2007 - JAPPO S.A, an event management company based in Dakar, Senegal, organized the first Africa International Sports Convention (CISA) in Dakar from 1^st to 3^rd February 2007. This event brought together continental and international sports leaders to discuss sports development in Africa.

Within the framework of CISA an education through campaign was organized since December 2006 based on the IAAF Kid�s Athletics program. The program which consisted of initiation to Athletics, drawing and writing contests reached its reached its peak motion with the CISA Children�s Sport Day on Sunday 4 February 2007 in Dakar. With the Leopold S�dar Senghor Stadium as the backdrop, dozens of kids sprinted, jumped, and vaulted their way through the friendly competition designed in conjunction with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF).

In attendance were representatives from numerous international sports organizations, including IAAF President, Lamine Diack and IAAF President Director of Cabinet, Cheikh Thiar�. Also in attendance were representatives from the Senegalese National Olympic Committee, the US Olympic Committee, ABSA, the World Olympians Association and US Olympian Ron Freeman who has won the night before the JAPPO Sports Humanitarian Awards for his actions in Africa.

The day composed of various athletics events, including hurdles, sprints, jumping and throwing events. Teams from schools in Dakar and neighboring towns were invited, and qualitative and quantitative prizes were handed out to the winning teams and to the winners of the art and writing contests.

During school visits that JAPPO staff and athletes from the Dakar High Performance Center (CIAD) made to over 30 schools in the months leading up to the Africa International Sports Convention, children entered drawing and art contests and the best team of each school was invited to join the sports day. Each child was able to enter an essay and a drawing depicting their interpretation of athletics. Prizes including televisions, DVD players, video players and school supplies were handed out to the winners in each age group.

Composed of visits to schools within Senegal, athletic competitions, and the writing and art contests, the campaign aims to inform the children of the positive effects sports can play in their lives. Having the slogan �Education Through Sport�, the program aims to inform children about staying healthy, learning teamwork, and the importance of staying in school.

A sports program for children designed by the IAAF is used, and is a great way to introduce the kids to the basics of athletics. Sprints, hurdles, relays and throwing competitions are all included. As this is a team competition, the children will learn the importance of working as a group, and the joys of competing together.

The enthusiastic support received for this program proves its success. Kids and parents alike enjoyed the funny yet educational program. President Lamine Diack seemed very pleased by the project and declared that these kinds of initiatives will surely better position Athletics both at school and at the community level.

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