Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and Acting University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield have officially opened the Australian Scholar-Athlete Games at UQ’s St Lucia campus today (January 23).
The Australian Scholar-Athlete Games (January 23-29) will unite almost 100 students from the Asia Pacific region across a week long program of sport, culture and education.
The Games are a first for the southern hemisphere and aim to promote understanding, acceptance and friendship among the youth of the world and develop Asia Pacific’s future world leaders.
The opening ceremony, which was held at the UQ Centre, welcomed the US founder of the Scholar-Athlete Games concept Dr Dan Doyle, The Queensland Youth Choir and the Turrbal people to conduct a traditional Indigenous welcome.
Premier Beattie said the games will be a great opportunity to inspire world youth to pursue excellence in academia and sport.
“We are proud to be supporting an event founded on a philosophy of developing understanding, acceptance and the possibilities of a diverse and multicultural world,” Premier 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 with a view to Brisbane hosting the World Scholar-Athlete Games in 2008.
Professor Paul Greenfield said the University was delighted to support an event that inspired 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 Greenfield said.
Scholar-athletes will join students aged 17-20 from Fiji, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Oman, Vanuatu, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Korea, India, Germany and Australia.
The program extends across a range of sports including athletics, volleyball, tennis and soccer, while also providing for cultural pursuits in drama, music and dance. Recognised mentors and coaches will provide expert tuition during the Games.
Media, for more information: Premier’s Office, Steve Rous (07) 3224 4500; UQ SPORT, Kelly Chapman on (07) 3365 6041; 0412 066 466 (mobile).
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