MALI
YOUTH PEACE GAMES � THE BEGINNING
In 2002
IMA along with UNESCO developed a vision to host
what then would be called the Sabadical Support
Program which would include a Youth Peace Games.
Marcellin Dally of UNESCO worked with Ron Freeman,
International Medalist Association, (IMA)
president, in developing an MOU (Memorandum of
Understanding) which gave IMA the opportunity to
enhance its work in Africa.
It
was in Mali that IMA through support by the U.S
Department of State and DOD was given the chance
to develop and implement the Mali Youth Peace
Games Program.
After working in Mali for three years, traveling
throughout the country and training coaches and
administrators that the Mali Youth Peace Games
was made possible. More than $300,000 was
raised for the development of the project and
the initial mission was set when residents of
the country actually MADE IT HAPPEN under the
direction of the International Medalist
Association. Originally scheduled to occur in
December, 2005, the Games began in September,
2006.
Moussa Sabadogo, an Olympian, was selected to
become the Director of the Project and he did an
outstanding job.
"We
were fortunate in that the National Olympic
Committee of Mali let Moussa Sabadogo assist us
throughout that time representing the Committee
and the person that we finally selected to
Manage the program," said Ron Freeman.
Olympians Lee Evans, Francis Dove- Edwin, Edwin
Roberts, International Coach Larry Athill,
and Former Pro Basketball player Dr. Elnardo Webster
were the team that gained the support of all of
the people and Partners that took part in this
outstanding program over the three year time
frame.
After putting five years in selling the concept
and putting the project together, the
International Medalist Association and UNESCO's
vision finally materialized.
Working with several NGO's, Government
Organization, U.S Department of State, I.O.C,
U.S.O.C, DOD and the National Olympic Committee
of Mali our program which was initially called
the Sabbatical Support Program and changed when
we went into Bamako, Mali turned out to be an
outstanding event.
"The
key was that IMA got NGO's such as : Right to
Play, NOC, WOA, Mali Government and others to work
together", said Ron Freeman.
More
than 30,000 people attended the Games and
millions were able to listen, see or read about
this unprecendented, outstanding event.
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