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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Laura Ingalls (laura.ingalls@worldlearning.org) in Washington, 1.202.464.6973
Turkish, Armenian Youth Team Up for Basketball Exchange
WASHINGTON (August 20, 2010) --
The opportunity to be coached by former NBA player George Mureşan awaits two dozen Armenian and Turkish teens who are taking part in a sports exchange program August 19-29 in Turkey. The International Sports Programming Initiative is sponsored by the US Department of State’s SportsUnited division and organized by the nonprofit World Learning.
"Interscholastic sports help young people build confidence and learn about leadership and teamwork, values that are critical to achieving success in life and in the classroom," said Adam Weinberg, World Learning president and CEO. "World Learning is excited to be part of a program that will help unlock the potential of these young men and women."
The program kicks off with a one-week sports camp in Oren, where the students and their coaches will learn about youth leadership and inter-cultural communications while participating in sports activities. The second week takes the participants to Izmir to play exhibition games, attend the first day of the FIBA World Basketball Championship, and take part in the neighborhood basketball clinic with Mureşan.
- MEDIA NOTE: Media are invited to a press event on Friday, August 27 featuring Mureşan and the students and coaches involved in the program. For more information and to register to attend, contact the US Embassy at 0312-457-7349, 7325 or email Ms. Burcu Aksoy at aksoybd@state.gov.
In January 2011, the same Turkish and Armenian program participants will travel to the United States to train and play basketball alongside American counterparts. The United States has one of the most developed interscholastic sports programs in the world, with millions of young people representing their schools and competing in a variety of sports every year.
"We hope the program inspires Armenia and Turkey to support young athletes and that these kinds of sports initiatives serve as a bridge to the future for young people of both countries," said Chargé d'Affaires Doug Silliman of the U.S. Mission in Turkey.
Learn more about World Learning: World Learning works globally to enhance the capacity and commitment of individuals, institutions, and communities
to create a more peaceful and just world through education, training and exchange programs. ###
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