Canadian Federal Government's Broken Promises

Forces the Cancellation of the 4th World Festival of Traditional Games & Sports

Regina/Montreal (PRWEB) July 10, 2004 -- The government of Canada promised in 1999 a contribution equal to that of the Quebec government ($2 million) in order to host the 4th WORLD FESTIVAL OF TRADITIONAL GAMES & SPORTS. Organized under the Trim & Fitness International Sport for All Association (TAFISA), the Games of the World is officially recognized by the IOC and UNESCO. The 1st Games of the world were held in Bonn, Germany in 1992, the 2nd in Bangkok, Thailand in 1996, and the 3rd in Hanover, Germany in 2000. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in activities of a variety never before seen in one place. In 2001, the Quebec government gave its promised contribution in support of the 2004 Games of the World. Since that day, many approaches have been made for the Canadian government to do the same. Unfortunately, after having given only half of the expected sum, the government of Canada refused to pay the second half ($1 million).

Four weeks from the event and with no hope of a payment from the Canadian government, the Games of the World organizing committee had no other choice than to cancel the event that was to be held in Montreal this summer from July 30th to August 8, 2004. Some 35 countries and over 60 delegations were scheduled to come to Canada to showcase their sport/game, many of whom had already gone through the process of purchasing VISAS and airline tickets. Five years of planning and millions of dollars already put into the event from municipal, provincial and federal government levels have now been all for nothing.

"This is a shamefully sad day for sport, recreation & culture in Canada", says Rick Engel, President of the Sepak Takraw Association of Canada (STAC). STAC has been working hard from its Regina headquarters with the Games of the World for 1 1/2 years to make the Canadian Open Sepak Takraw (Kick Volleyball) Championships one of the feature events of the Games. As a fairly new sport NGO in Canada, trying to grow the sport of Sepak Takraw nation-wide through volunteerism (they still have no direct funding sources) and establish a reputation of integrity and trustworthiness internationally, the impact on STAC will be devastating.

Due to the Federal Government's unfulfilled promise and therefore forced cancellation of the 4th Games of the World, what will be the repercussions on Canada's international reputation?

Contact: Rick Engel, President of the Sepak Takraw Association of Canada (STAC)
Phone: (306) 584-8778
Email: stac@takrawcanada.com

Pierre-Luc Brodeur, General Manager of the Games of the World
Phone: (514) 868-3838
Email: plbrodeur@SISM.CA