TAFISA Rewards the Global Sport for All Movement Champions

As is the custom, the 25th TAFISA World Congress in Seoul, Korea, November 2017, was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the champions of Sport for All and share their good deeds with the international community. TAFISA thus awarded the organisations and individuals who are making a difference and helping promote Sport for All through their work and programmes. 

Three people received the Jürgen Palm Award, TAFISA's most prestigious accolade, named after the late Prof. Dr. Jürgen Palm, the founding father and pioneer of TAFISA. The Award is for individuals who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the field of International Sport for All and physical activity and was this year bestowed to: 

• Ban-ki Moon, former United Nations Secretary General, Korea, for making the recognition and promotion of Sport for All a focus of his work over many decades, and using this as a foundation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the establishment of the International Day for Sport, Development and Peace.
• Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Hungary, for his work in implementing the European Week of Sport which is now a signature event of the European sports and physical activity scene, held every September in 28 countries. He is also a strong supporter and promotor of the significance of Traditional Sports and Games, and has a great focus on grassroots sports, including the formation of the European High Level Group on Grassroots Sports.
• Dr. Sam Ramsamy, Chair of the IOC Sport and Active Society Commission, South Africa, for his tireless efforts and contribution to sport have been reflected in his history as an International Olympic Committee member, serving as a member of the IOC Executive Board from 2006 to 2014, and having been a member or chair of numerous IOC Commissions. He is, among other, the current Chair of the IOC Sport and Active Society Commission, which strives to promote Sport for All and physical activity for people to build a healthier society, with a focus on youth and parents.  He also made use of Sport for All in his efforts to overcome Apartheid rule in South Africa.

Dr. Sam Ramsamy receiving the Jürgen Palm Award from TAFISA President Prof. Dr. Ju-ho Chang and TAFISA Secretary General Wolfgang Baumann

TAFISA also rewarded four organisations with the TAFISA Sustainability Award, an award for organisations that have developed and successfully implemented sustainable interventions in the field of Sport for All and Physical Activity: 

• The International Working Group on Women and Sport and their co-Chair Ruth Maphorisa, for the "Mentorship and Empowerment Programme for Girls and Women in Sport (MEMPROW)” which is aimed at nurturing athletic talent, personal and academic development for girls in sport through delivering life-skills training and mentorship including topics on HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, self-esteem, confidence, self-assertiveness and financial literacy, amongst others."
• The Deutsche Jugendkraft Sportverband (DJK) for the “Sports and Games Dictionary”, an online library of games with clear instructions translated in several languages for schools, clubs and organisations to use, to facilitate social inclusion for refugees and migrants.
• The Bluearth Foundation and their CEO Wendy Gillett, for the “Move More – Sit Less” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of sitting and the necessity to change our habits at school, in the office and other settings where we sit too much.
• The World Transplant Games Federation for its “Fit for Life Programme”, which aims to elevate the importance of physical activity and organised sport at all levels in the long term management and well-being of transplant recipients.

TAFISA took the opportunity to show its appreciation to Dr. Wan-shik Hong, who received the TAFISA Friends for Life Award  for organising the 4th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Busan, Korea, and for his involvement in the Sport for All Movement over the years. 

The Pioneer Award, rewarding individuals who have made long term contributions to the field of Sport for All and physical activity, was bestowed upon two individuals, namely:

• Kwang Hu, founder of the "Hangung" traditional sports that helps develop balance, improve strength and flexibility. It is especially practical for seniors as it can be practiced by people of all skill levels and fitness abilities.
• Lee Kang-ok, President of the Korea Walking Federation, a national organisation hosting and organising big walking events nation-wide and even in partnership with neighbouring countries like China. With their volunteer staff they also promote various health and physical activity programmes.

Last, this year marked the creation of a new Award, the Anita Ghosh Award in memory of the late Prof. Anita Ghosh from India, who stands for the strong positions that women can take in the promotion of Sport for All. It was bestowed upon Kim Duryeon who used "Dance" and "Movement" to unlock women's potential by teaching students at the Seoul National University and creating an entity called "Korea Movement Education Centre". She has devoted her life in advocating for the importance of physical activity to Korean women, in particular by using dance sports and activities.