OCA Sports & Peace Committee 01-12-2007

The inaugural meeting of the OCA Sports & Peace Committee met in Amman (JOR) on December 1, 2007 under the chairmanship of HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein.

Members of the Committee who attended included Sheikha Hayat Bint Al Khalifa, Bahrain; Ms. Fa'eza Hashmi, Iran and Ms. Lu Chen, China. The Korean and UAE members could not attend but were represented by Dr. Sang Woo Kim and Mr. Ibrahim Abdulmalik as observers. Mr. Husain Musalam, Director General of the OCA was also in attendance.

Committee after thoughtful considerations have decided to rename as “OCA Peace Through Sport Committee” this proposal will be put forward for the approval of 52nd OCA Executive Board scheduled to be held in Bangkok on 2 April 2008.  Committee applauded the efforts of HRH Prince Feisal’s initiatives and successful organization of Peace Through Sport pilot camp held in Amman from October 21 – 31, 2007, in a bid to use sport as a means to bridge divided communities around globe.  Committee will shortly develop guidelines for implementing various programmes under OCA umbrella.  Committee authorized Chairman to convene it’s next meeting in first quarter of 2008.

HRH Prince Feisal stressed to members, "This is a very important meeting for laying the foundations and guidelines for the Peace Through Sport Committee as one of the most important of the OCA committees which will play a positive role in Asian communities by using sport to instill peace."

The Committee discussed the policies and framework for their future work.  They agreed to generate increased awareness about the power of sport in peace building; to encourage programmes to meet the Asian countries' needs for peace and increased cooperation with various international and regional organizations, Asian National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Governments.

The Committee will commence activities in 2008 with an education programme for NOCs to build awareness of the importance of achieving peace through sport. The NOCs will be targeted through the five OCA Regional Forums together with tailored promotional material and literature which can be used nationally through sporting associations and relevant educational and social institutions and organizations.  

As part of the Peace Through Sport Committees' international cooperation efforts, it was agreed that working with the United Nations and International Olympic Committee will be key to achieving their objectives.