Children International and International Alliance For Youth Sports Partner to Organize Leagues for Poor Teens Around the World

It’s “Game On!” for Children International and the International Alliance For Youth Sports (IAYS) as they announce a partnership that brings organized sports leagues to poor children and teens around the world!

For Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization which helps more than 335,000 poor children, 135,000 of those being teens between ages 12-19, the partnership supports community development in poverty-stricken areas. IAYS teaches a program to volunteers called Game On! Youth Sports that encourages fun, participation and positive competition, while integrating life skills into its lessons.

“Millions of children in the U.S. benefit physically and socially from playing sports, but for millions of children around the world this simply isn’t the case,” said IAYS Founder Fred Engh. “Children International, working hand in hand with IAYS, is bringing organized sports to children throughout their agencies worldwide to show the world that sports aren’t simply throwing or kicking a ball, but more so, the opportunity to teach life skills that can enhance the lives of children everywhere.”

Game On! has been widely popular around the world since its inception. Highly successful programs have been held throughout Africa, India, Central America and the Caribbean, which have impacted thousands of children.

After launching a children’s soccer league in Mexico and with new leagues in Colombia expected by early 2010, Game On! Youth Sports encourages participation from parents, teachers, teens and volunteers wishing to coach teams and organize games. By providing volunteer training, IAYS teaches parents and volunteers interpersonal communication skills which improve their relationships with children in their community. Training also enables teens to co-captain many younger teams. The sense of pride parents and volunteers receive from overseeing teams and leagues often provides them with self-esteem and better leadership tools.

Game On! Youth Sports appeals to populations of underserved, impoverished teens who are at-risk of dropping out of school and taking part in risky behaviors, such as gangs, early pregnancy, drug abuse or crime. Through the program, teens are encouraged to participate in leagues where they learn skills like making a life plan, decision-making, resisting peer pressure and conflict resolution, motivating them to stay in school.

Children International’s President and CEO Jim Cook said, “Children International is excited to work with IAYS on real community development at the grassroots level. Using sports as a medium to teach parents and children new skills will improve their lives and help remove the stigma poverty places on their lives.”

About International Alliance For Youth Sports:

The International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) was established in 2003 by National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Founder Fred Engh, and both organizations share a headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A. The IAYS has an Executive Staff and an International Advisory Board. The goal of IAYS is for all children throughout the world to have the opportunity to gain the benefits of sports. The IAYS addresses issues that hinder youth sport participation throughout the world, including lack of trained volunteers, lack of programming, nonexistent facilities and poor equipment. For more information visit www.iays.org

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a nonprofit organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs benefit more than 325,000 sponsored children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia,. For more information about Children International, visit www.children.org.

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