MALI YOUTH PEACE GAMES — THE BEGINNING

 

 
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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.

click here for information about the significance of Mali.