Premier Peter Beattie and The University of Queensland (UQ) Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay last week announced athletes and scholars would participate in a landmark event at UQ`s St Lucia campus in January 2006.
The Premier also announced that Queensland will host the World Scholar-Athlete Games in 2008 at The University of Queensland.
The Australian Scholar Athlete Games (23-29 January, 2006) will unite an estimated 250 scholars aged from 16-19 from the Asia Pacific region in a week-long program of sport, culture and education.
The games are a first for the southern hemisphere and follow the ideals of the Scholar Athlete Games format founded at the University of Rhode Island in 1993.
The Premier said the games would be a great opportunity to promote cultural diversity in Queensland communities.
"Queensland is proud to be hosting the first event of this kind in the Southern Hemisphere, combining academic and sporting excellence," Mr Beattie said.
"Queensland is Australia`s Smart State and we are proud to be a multicultural society. That`s why we are pleased to be promoting scholarship, athletics and awareness of important issues involving young people from various cultures, backgrounds and countries."
The Institute for International Sport (USA) has linked with The University of Queensland, the Queensland Government and UQ SPORT to deliver the 2006 Program as a prelude to the World Scholar-Athlete Games in June-July 2008.
The founder of the Institute, Dan Doyle wrote his thesis on using sports to foster international diplomacy and, two decades later, it is occurring through the Scholar Athlete Games.
The Games feature sports such as athletics, badminton, soccer, swimming, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, sailing and rugby.
The Games cultural program will feature activities such as music (instrumental and coral,) theatre, dance and creative writing.
The Games also raise awareness about issues such as cultural diversity, ethics and sportsmanship, peace and the environment through keynote speakers and discussion groups.
UQ Vice Chancellor Professor John Hay said the University was delighted to support an event that inspires youth to pursue excellence in academic and extracurricular pursuits.
"The Scholar-Athlete Games concept has established itself as a world event and its ideals lie in utilising sport and the arts as a means of communication and learning rather than competition among nations," Professor Hay said.
Students who are skilled in sport or the arts and have demonstrated leadership qualities, consistent academic achievement and participation in community service activities are selected to participate in the Scholar Athlete Games.
The Australian Games will serve as the Asia Pacific trials for the 2008 Games.
Recognised mentors and coaches will provide expert tuition during the Games.
July 7, 2005
Media contacts: Premier`s Office, Steve Rous (07) 3224 4500
UQ SPORT, Rowan Foster (07) 3365 6034
