SISTER CITY ŠIAULIAI TO HOST 5TH TAFISA WORLD SPORT-FOR-ALL GAMES

5th TAFISA World Games: Šiauliai, Lithuania: (July 5 – 11, 2012)

4th TAFISA World Games: Busan, Korea: (Sept 26 – Oct 1, 2008)

3rd TAFISA World Games: Hannover, Germany: (June 19 – 25, 2000)

2nd TAFISA World Games: Bangkok, Thailand: (Dec 10 – 16, 1996)

1st TAFISA World Games: Bonn, Germany: (June 23 – 28, 1992)

 

The 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Šiauliai, Lithuania, 2012, will offer a voyage of discovery around the world. The modern version of the Games provides the possibility not only to show the traditional sports and games of the world, but to share and experience cultures and heritage from across the globe, and understanding the important role games and sports have played in our history.

 

The main goal of the TAFISA World Sport for All Games is to promote diversity of world cultures, cooperation, peace and welfare through sport. Victory is not the first priority. Rather, the emphasis is on participation in traditional sports and games in order to maintain and share the world‘s unique and cultures and heritages. Through active participation and sharing, unique traditional sports and games from throughout the world can be preserved for future generations.

 

TAFISA (The Association for International Sport for All) was established in 1991 in Bordeaux, France. The association has about 180 members from 120 countries: Europe; Asia and Oceana; Africa; and the Americas that support the ideals of the ‘sport for all’ movement. TAFISA actively cooperates with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Sports Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), among other global organizations. With the commitment of UNESCO to preserve and develop traditional sport, the TAFISA World Sport for All Games are dedicated to promoting national cultures and identities through peaceful cooperation and cohesion.

 

The TAFISA secretariat and the Secretary-General of the organization (Wolfgang Baumann) are currently headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. The current president of TAFISA (Dr. Kang-Too Lee of Korea) was elected for four-year term in Fall of 2009.

 

TAFISA organizes a world festival featuring traditional sports and cultural games with the involvement of thousands of local and guest participants from countries throughout the world – at four-year intervals,. From humble beginnings in 1992, the TAFISA World Sport for All Games have grown significantly in size, scope, and popularity: The First TAFISA Games were held in Bonn, Germany in 1992 – with a total 620 participants from 33 countries. The Second Games were hosted by Bangkok, Thailand – with a total 666 participants from 42 countries. About 700 participants from 30 countries gathered for the Third TAFISA Games in Hannover, Germany in 2000.

 

After an 8-year break, the Fourth TAFISA Games held in Busan, Korea in 2008 grew most significantly, uniting over 10,300 participants: 7,687 locals and 2,613 foreign visitors from 101 participating countries (35 European countries; 33 Asian countries; 18 North & South American countries; 13 African countries; and 2 counties from Oceania). For the 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in 2012, Šiauliai has the goal of breaking this participation record, aiming for 15,000 participants!

 

The 2012 TAFISA games will be hosted by the City of Šiauliai, as well as surrounding municipalities which comprise the Šiauliai Region: Akmenė, Joniškis, Kelmė, Pakruojis, and Radviliškis. The City and Region of Šiauliai include games venues with well-developed and functional sports infrastructures situated on exceptionally beautiful landscapes.

 

Šiauliai is the fourth largest city in Lithuania with the population of 130,000 inhabitants. It is the largest educational, cultural and industrial center of Northern Lithuania. Lithuania is located in the center of Europe, by the Baltic Sea with a population over 3 million residents, sharing borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the southeast, Poland and the Kaliningrad region (Russia) to the southwest. Since 2004, Lithuania is both a member of NATO and the European Union.

 

 

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‘Active People. Better World’ is the official slogan or vision statement of the forthcoming Šiauliai Games. The hosting of the 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games is indeed a special honor and recognition for the City of Šiauliai, for Lithuania, as well as Europe. In addition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and UNESCO, the President of the Republic of Lithuania – Dalia Grybauskaitė has agreed to serve as an official patroness of this world event.

Everyone is welcome to attend Lithuania and the Games in 2012 !

  

 

 

NOTE: The Omaha Sister Cities Association is not organizing a tour or delegation visit to the 5th TAFISA World ‘Sport for All’ Games in Šiauliai. But we invite and encourage all to visit and participate – as individuals, families or groups!

 

You will need to make your own travel arrangements to either: the Vilnius, Lithuania or the Riga, Latvia international airport. And if anyone decides to go ahead and register for participation in the 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games please let us know at: gtmurauskas@msn.com

 

 

For registration / accommodations details / pricing information, please refer to the Siauliai TAFISA 2012 web pages at: http://www.siauliai2012.lt/en/about.html

 

 

Registration Deadline: March 1, 2012

 

 

E-MAIL :

info@siauliai2012.lt

 

TELEPHONE:

+ 370 41 383070

+ 370 41 596304

 

MAILING ADDRESS:

Sport for All - Siauliai Region 2012

Vilniaus Street, 213

LT-76348, Šiauliai

Lithuania

 

FAQ: 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games 2012

 

What is ‘the Games’?

  • The 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games will be a vibrant and entertaining experience, offering a unique opportunity to demonstrate and discover the traditional and contemporary games and sports of cultures from around the globe.
  • The primary aims of the Games are:
    • To preserve and promote traditional sports and games and therefore national identity and heritage,
    • To encourage cooperation between nations,
    • To provide experience exchange opportunities, and, of course,
    • To enjoy.

 

Who should come to the Games?

  • Everyone is welcome to attend the 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in 2012! This includes those interested in ‘Sport for All’, traditional games and sports, culture and heritage, as well as media, government, and TAFISA member representatives and the general public.
  • In particular, the Games are a special event where delegations from around the globe can showcase their traditional game or sport to the general public and the world as an invited delegation.

 

What events are included in the Games?

  • Sport program:
    • Traditional sports and games
    • Demonstration sports
    • Sports for disabled people
    • Championships and competitions
    • Day of nations
  • Mass sports events:
    • Bicycle riding
    • Nordic walking
    • Gymnastics for all, etc.
  • Special Events:
    • Sport forum, congress
    • Opening and closing ceremonies
    • World Walking Day
    • Coronation of the Lithuanian King Mindaugas - State Day celebration
    • International boy chorus festival
    • International folk music festivals

 

What benefits are there for delegations who participate in the Games?

  • For up to 10 persons (athletes, coaches, demonstrators, etc.), invited delegations receive:
    • Free local transport
    • Free accommodation (6 nights)
    • Free meals (7 days)
  • Delegations may present their traditional game or sport in many Games events, including:
    • Opening ceremony
    • Daily demonstrations in and around Siauliai
    • Day of Nations
    • World Nations Fair
    • Sport Gala Performance
    • Closing ceremony

 

What games or sports will be accepted at the Games?

  • The Games will include traditional sports, games, dances, etc. from around the world. Ideally, games and sports presented at the Games should meet the criteria below, however under special circumstances other games or sports may be accepted. (Please contact us if you are unsure or have more questions).
  • Games and sports should ideally be:
    • Older than 100 years
    • Entertaining for participants and spectators
    • An active part of the tradition and identity of a country / society
    • Still in practice
    • Cost efficient to organize
    • Open for everyone to participate
    • A reflection of regional / national heritage
    • Not dangerous for participants