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Exchanging knowledge

For the second time, the Brazilian Delegation has hosted the Canadian Military Volleyball team to exchange knowledge. From 12 to 17 May, both national military volleyball teams, Brazilain and Canadian, took part in a tournament that was held in Rio de Janeiro at the Research of Personnel Army Center’s sports facilities as a preparation period for the 29th World Miliatry Volleybal Championship. Two other teams participated in the tournament: Plinio Leite University and Rio de Janeiro Junior Team. More important than to present the champion is to highlight the spirit of sports within armed forces based on solidarity, technical assistance and mutual development of sports within CISM member nations, under the motto Friendship through Sport.


International Orienteering course in Tehran

In a demonstration of teamwork, Brig Gen Ali Sabour, Chief of the the I.R. Iranian Delegation to CISM, and CISM Secretary General, Col van Meurs, have set up an Orienteering Training Course for the Armed Forces of Iran. The course was held in Tehran from 12 to 17 April 2008.

The Holland delegation, demonstrating total solidarity to the cause of sports, sent two instructors: Major Ret. Ton de Vaan and Ltcol Ret. Anne Heikoop to carry out this technical assistance.

The course took place in two different beautiful venues, close to the big city of Tehran: Chitgar Park en Lavizan, hilly and steep terrain, with nice contours and a lot of re-entrants, paths and a good run-ability.

After an official opening ceremony at 12 April, 30 participants shared knowledge during 6 days conference. Covering theoretical and practical activities, the group discussed planning and training methods as a coach practicing these concepts on blank maps taking into consideration setting/following, contours/route choice with time keeping/relay with map/memo training.
It was organised in such a way that there was a lot of interaction and exercises. The military students were eager to learn, very enthusiastic, friendly and sport minded.
“We met a lot of friendly people during these 2 weeks” said Lt Col Ret. Anne Heikoop.

FIFA Supports CISM (Football development)

From left to right: Col van Meurs, Col Morisod, Mr Blatter
CISM Soldier Fighting for Peace
FIFA President, Mr Sepp Blatter, received as a "Former CISM soldier", a Cavalrist with CISM flag
On the 3rd of April, the CISM Secretary General was received by Mr. Sepp Blatter, to brief the FIFA President about the CISM – FIFA projects in 2007 and the upcoming projects in 2008. In a former meeting in 2007, the FIFA President proudly explained that he many years ago – as a young Swiss Lieutenant – helped in the organization of a CISM – Military World Championship Skiing in Switzerland!!!
This is the reason why CISM wanted to award him as a “CISM – Soldier fighting for Peace”. (see photo)

CISM BOXING DREAM BEARS FRUIT

The CISM Africa Development Centre (CAD) in Nairobi, Kenya can be said to be the realization of a long standing CISM dream.

In CISM Manual of Policy and Procedures are the following statements of purpose:

            “... to provide mutual technical assistance …

            ... To support less privileged members in the name of friendship and solidarity…”.

In the membership charter are statements:

            “ … To give special importance to those who live in the most unfavorable context. Assist them wherever they can be, being synonymous with development and assistance …”    

“… to carry out these missions CISM must develop reflection laboratories, meeting spaces ... give an equal chance for the sport practice to less privileged …”

It is with the above broad statements that the CAD was born with the following as its broad objectives:

a.         To stimulate and support sports training programmes in modern and innovative topics such as sports management, sports medicine and specialized coaching, which will facilitate the development of high level sports performance.

b.         To develop structures designed to provide an overall and effective leadership in sports administration.

c.         To train and develop elite sportsmen and teams with an ultimate aim of increasing participation in variety of sports among CISM member states.

d.         To administer a scheme to educate coaches and technical officials in a bid to enhance performance and improve the standard of coaching, refereeing and implement “CISM Coaches Certification Programme”.

e.         To stimulate and facilitate sports research projects and development studies, which includes policy development, strategic planning, marketing, sports science and medicine.

f.          Run updating and refresher courses for specialist personnel such as CISM delegates, competition organizers, chief of delegations and statisticians.

The CAD has successfully run three courses to date; two in Boxing and one in Athletics.

The first Boxing course in Boxing in 2006 was directed by Mr Ismael Salas from Cuba. The Second in 2007 was directed by Mr Ruben Sanchez, also from Cuba.

The Kenyan military boxing team has now started reaping the fruits of the CISM courses.

For the first time since 1988 when the last Armed Forces boxer, Pte Chris Sande, qualified for the Seoul Olympics and subsequently won a bronze medal,  the Armed Forces has qualified two boxers out of the five that Kenya is sending to Beijing. They are Pte Nick Abaka in welterweight and Pte Nick Okoth in featherweight. They qualified at the Olympic qualifier in Windhoek, Namibia in March 2008. Kenya also was the overall winner in the championship. Pte Okoth won Gold and Pte Abaka took the silver.

They are coached by Ssgt Augustine Mutuku and Cpl Khatib Ali who attended the 2006 course and Cpl Collins Bullinda who attended the 2007 course.

Talking to this writer, the coaches said that the skills they acquired from the courses had greatly improved their coaching ability shown by the performance of the military team both locally and now in the Olympic qualifiers. They were in agreement that their experiences at the courses had totally changed their boxing – for the better.

News from far afield indicate that most of the participants of the two boxing courses have already stated causing ripples at home with some already breaking into coaching their countries’ respective national teams.

Maj Paul Njuguna


CISM AND IAAF EMPOWERING THE MILITARY IN AFRICA

Training on sprint startThe month of April 2008 marked the genesis of what is bound to be a turning point in Africa Military Athletics.

The CISM Africa Development Centre (CAD) based in Nairobi, Kenya organized and run the 1st CISM IAAF Athletics Level 1 Coaches’ Course.

The course was held on 6th – 21st April 2008 at the famous Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where legendary Kenyan athletes have been discovered.

A record eleven (11) OSMA member countries sent twenty three (23) participants to the course. The countries were Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

IAAF provided two experienced lecturers, Mr. Augustine Soge from Ghana and Mr. Bobby Gaseitsiwe from Botswana to direct the course. Mr John Velzian, the Director of the IAAF Regional Development Centre was also at hand to offer guidance.

Lt Gen Tuwei adresses graduantsThe Opening Ceremony was presided over by Athletics Kenya Secretary General Mr. David Okeyo representing the AK Chairman Mr. Isaiah Kiplagat who is an IAAF Council Member. Also attending was Chief of ECALO Lt Gen Jackson Tuwei, Chief of Personnel, Defence Headquarters, Brig Gordon Kihalangwa, PES ECALO, Lt Col Samwel Mwangi and representatives of the Sports Stadia Mangement Board.

In his speech, the Guest of Honor thanked respective governments for realizing the importance if the course and thereby supporting their personnel to attend the course. He expressed profound gratitude to CISM for initiating the CAD and for their funding of the technical courses.

“The initiative is definitely a prudent reform in our sports activities which will immensely benefit Africa military sportsmen and enable them to  participate confidently , more effectively and contribute more significantly in the international sports arena”, He said.

What followed was an amazing whirlwind two weeks of learning activities. The participants were taken through sixty seven topics of classroom and practicals. Classes were held at the IAAF Regional Centre and practicals at the well equipped Sports Centre. They covered all track and field events.

The long jump trainingThe participants also had a chance to sample the rich Kenyan culture through tours to downtown Nairobi and its environs. They also witnessed Kenyan athletes in action during the trials to select the Kenyan team to the African Championships.

The course came to an end on 20th April 2008 with a closing ceremony presided over by Lt Gen Jackson Tuwei flanked by other senior military officers.

In his speech, Lt Gen Tuwei noted with pride that the participants had worked diligently and with much commitment throughout the duration of the course and that they were able to achieve the course objectives. He urged them to prudently and selflessly utilize the skills and knowledge achieved in the course so as to benefit the entire military athletics fraternity in their respective countries and Africa at large.

He thanked CISM Hqs for their continued support of the CAD and therein the realization of the promotion of Military Sports in Africa. He also thanked all stakeholders especially the Kenya Armed Forces and IAAF for their continued assistance of the CAD programs.

The participants were awarded with IAAF International Certificates after a grueling examination. All passed. They were also awarded CISM Certificates of Participation.


Maj Paul Njuguna

Judo Mats for the Republic of Congo
On the 12th of August 2007, a set of Judo mats offered by the Royal Military Academy from the Netherlands arrived in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Three CISM member countries worked hand in hand to ship the judo mats to the Republic of Congo. The Netherlands who donated the mats, Belgium who provided air transport to Kinshasa, capital of the Republic Democratic of Congo and then by boat to Brazzaville.

This military logistic cooperation, coordinated by the General Secretariat in Brussels, proved once more to be very effective towards CISM’s solidarity and development plans.
The Judo mats, in conformity with the rules fixed by the International Judo Federation, will be used to promote and spread the practice of Judo in Republic of Congo as a fundamental pedagogical support.
The first two tickets paid by solidarity fund

Focused on the 4th CISM Military Word Games, CISM allocated the whole 2007 solidarity budget to provide the same opportunity for CISM member countries. After meetings, planning and negotiations CISM arrived at concrete actions in Ouagadougou, offering the first two tickets paid by solidarity fund to the Brigadier Gen. G. Mashingaidze Chief of the Zimbabwean Delegation, the first benefited country. These two promotional tickets were delivered by Mr Grupa, Regional Director of Air India, and partner on this entrepreneur. CISM intend to help more than 25 CISM member countries to be in Hyderabad marching on the MWG opening ceremony.
Sports equipment in Ouagadougou for the Armed Forces


During the 62nd General Assembly, the first step towards a new “Military Sport Aid” project was made, when an Italian Military plane unloaded sports equipment in Ouagadougou given by famous Italian companies - Mondo- - Technogym- - Alenia - for the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso as a result of an initiative of President Gola that was much appreciated by the authorities of the host country.
School equipment for Somdé de Kossoghin Primary School

Thanks to contacts initiated from Belgium by Adjudant Dirk De Vos, school equipment was shipped to Somdé de Kossoghin Primary School in Ouagadougou. A CISM delegation – including Colonel M. van Meurs, Secretary-General; Colonel Major Bouhaouala, President of the Solidarity Commission; Commandant D. M. Koita, African member of the CISM General Secretariat; and Adjudant De Vos, photographer and initiator of the project – visited this school accommodating 1,200 pupils to deliver supplies to school Director Pierre Sawadogo with the parents’ association attending. The Secretary-General then took the floor to encourage younger children to study, respect others and practice solidarity and sport.

350 footballs to Burkina Faso

In partnership with CISM, FIFA donated 350 footballs to Burkina Faso. It was the first time in its history that CISM conducted a solidarity action of such magnitude jointly with another international sports organisation. With this action, CISM delivered on its commitments: its openings toward major international organisations do bear fruit.
Technical Assistance

Five brazilian officials are responsible for the increase in participation of venezuela in the world scene, specially in south america

Relevant Venezuelan Results:
Relay Champion in the World Military Pentathlon Championship – Spain 2003
Fifth place in the World Military Pentathlon Championship – Chile 2004, 21,235.4 points
Second-place team and Relay Champion in the South America Military Pentathlon Championship – Colombia 2005

Since 2000, the Brazilian Army has supported Venezuelan Armed Forces, increasing the performance of their Military Pentathlon athletes through Technical Assistance. The goal consists of technical instruction for the cadets from Venezuelan Military Academy and training of the National Military Pentathlon Team.
In order to develop this discipline in the South American continent, the Brazilian delegation to CISM has been sending expertise to provide courses and training during two years in cooperation with following countries:
- Venezuela, 2000 – Major FELIPE, 2001 - Major BOTELHO, 2002/ 03 – Major AMORIM, 2004/05 – Cpt TÚLIO, 2006/07 - Cpt SANTOS LIMA;
- Peru and Colombia - Cpt JETSON, and Sgt BANDEIRA.

Since the first participation in the Military Pentathlon Championship, Brazil has been achieving excellent results in this CISM event. After acquiring a good reputation and respect around the world, Brazil has decided to share the know-how with South American countries.
Congratulations on the Brazilian delegation for this so important initiative to spread knowledge and to develop the military sport in the South American region by providing technical assistance.

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Netherlands Shows Solidarity by Giving Five Pentathlon Rifles to Serbia
On August the 2nd the deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Belgium, Mr. Aleksandr Tasic, and the Defence Attaché of Serbia in Belgium, Colonel Miroslav Jovanovic, met the Chief of the Netherlands CISM Delegation, LtCol Hans Goedings, on the invitation of the CISM Secretary General, Colonel Michel van Meurs, for solidarity action and technical assistance.
On behalf of its Armed Forces, the Netherlands CISM Delegation assists Serbia for the very beginning in Military Pentathlon by handing over five sport rifles.
The Secretary General underlined the important role CISM is going to play in the field of solidarity and stressed particularly the post-conflict sport action done by Serbia by organizing a cross-country and shooting competition between Bosnia/Herzegovina, Croatia, Fyrom and Slovenia from October the 23rd till October 27th 2006 in Serbia.
Colonel Jovanovic expressed his gratitude to CISM and to the Netherlands Military Armed Forces and as a sign of friendship he gave a Serbian coin to the Secretary General symbolizing that the weapon will always used according to “Friendship through Sport”
U.R
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The First Boxing Coaching Seminar Held in Nairobi – Kenya.
7-18 August 2006

After been instructed successfully to attendant of CISM Boxing Course trough 12 Days, the point of view of the professional Coach Instructor from Cuba, Ismael Salas was out standard, and opened new doors to increase technical know how of Africans Boxing trainer up-dating them to the many many change been through amateur boxing, to be more specific Olympic Boxing Style.
This Solidarity action of CISM in Africa by supporting the First Boxing National Coach Instructions was a great action.
The Course was concentrated in the following topics.
1-     Fundamentals of Boxing Skills; By MD Ismael Antonio Salas SEBASCO
2-     Per iodization and pedagogical control of the Boxing training programs.
3-     Some Consideration and exercises for development of the boxer preparation and multiple Fitness quality.
4-     Technical and practical use of the boxing padding work.
5-     Method variable of the weight training boxing program. By Henny Mandemaker specialist in fitness training.
6-     Anatomy and physiologic of the Human Body. By Vicent Ochienng Oynewera PH. D
7-     General fitness test & aerobic exercises.
8-     Psychological factors the impact on Boxing. By Ewing K Wamukaya. Ph. D and Director of the open learning Institute; Kenyatta University of Nairobi.
9-     Management of Boxing.

Divided in groop hors of theory and practical, class to 20 boxing trainer from 8 countries and after made official theory test, with 100% students been qualifying in different levels ( excellent; very good and good).
All the thanks go to the organizers of the course headed by Lt - General J. Tuwei and his team for the support through the course period working together with Kenya Boxing Association, helping in the development of the amateur Boxing in Africa and the CISM.
Mr Ismael Antonio Salas SEBASCO hope the continuity of this generous mission of solidarity and friendship trough sport specially boxing one of the most popular sport in the Armed Forces around the World.
DMK

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