POSTED: 2012-02-16 04:02:16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) has named Sir Philip Craven, MBE, head of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member with the 2012 GSD Humanitarian Award.
The recognition honors achievement in youth sport development and is accompanied by a $100,000 grant for use toward the winner’s development programs.
The Foundation has worked as a non-profit organization in the USA for more than a decade and has furthered development for the Women and Sport Conference, Innsbruck 2012, Fair Play Commission, Athletes Commission Forum, IPC, FIH and the ITTF.
Dr. Steven Ungerleider, a founding board member of GSD , said, “Sir Philip is a true champion of sport in all senses of the word.
“Winning medals is one thing, but providing opportunities for others to enhance themselves moves society forward. We need more humanitarians like Sir Philip.”
Craven has been particularly industrious in promoting wheelchair basketball and the IPC is focusing more on development under his leadership.
He said, “I am particularly gratified with this award because providing more opportunities for our youngsters to enjoy the benefits of sport is truly one of my greatest passions.
“We are seeing promising results from the youth development programs the IPC has launched in cooperation with GSD and others, and I continue to be excited about increasing our ability to reach out to and strengthen the grassroots of all Paralympic sports.”
Sir Philip has a long career in competitive sports starting with Wheelchair Basketball and Swimming in the 1972 Paralympic Games and going onto become a five-time Paralympian in Wheelchair Basketball (1972-1988).
After this he was elected to three, non-consecutive terms as chairman of the Great Britain Basketball Federation then became the first athlete to lead the sport worldwide as chairman of the Wheelchair Basketball Section of the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation in 1988.
Craven then founded the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation in 1989 and served as its first president from 1989-2002.
As the head of the IPC, has helped spearhead the evolution of the sport as well as its governing body and has been the driving force behind the success that the Paralympics enjoy today.
Another founding member of GSD, David Ulich, declared, “Sir Philip’s example on the court and work off it has created countless opportunities for youth to experience the thrills and lessons sport provides.
“Recognizing this type of contribution to society is what the GSD Humanitarian Award is all about.”
For more information contact:
Laura Walden ()
Keir Radnedge ()
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