INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

Since then the International Olympic Academy has grown from
strength to strength. The primary function of the IOA is in the
promotion of Olympism and the Olympic Education throughout the
world by congregating youths below 35 years to interact at Olympia
and providing them the foundation of Olympic Education. However,
we are in sympathy with Dr Filaretos and Dr Kostas as their annual
budget is limited and they can only take in 200 young participants at
the yearly session.
Over the last few years, as the Director, National Olympic
Academy of Malaysia I have attended six (6) IOA Sessions for the
Directors and Presidents of member countries. Personally I have had
the good fortune of being in close contact with scholars who are
committed and serious in spreading the Olympic ideas and providing
sports education especially in the continents of Europe, Australia and
Americas. I have seen Spanish speaking group, French speaking group
and German speaking group each doing their part in spreading the
ideas of Olympic Education.
To me participating in an IOA session in Olympia is an
unforgettable experience, which is both intellectually and socially
stimulating. I remember making my maiden’s speech at IOA when I
told the gathering that my NOA was only just six (6) months old and
that I have much to learn from the other participants.
Since then, I personally have become more convinced of
Coubertin’s ideas. I do not profess myself to be a philosopher like
Coubertin or any of the great scholars of Olympic Education. I am
only a strong believer in the philosophy of Olympic Education and the
role it can play in the education of the young. Our Academy is
committed to promote the Olympic Ideas and Olympic spirit through
education of youth in my country. Every year Malaysia can only send
two young participants to the IOA session for Young Participants and
it will take me 20 years to provide Olympic Education for 40 young
Malaysians. However, with our own Annual Academy Session in
Malaysia I can provide Olympic Education to 40 Malaysians in one
year, thus helping to spread the dream of Coubertin to 280 youths over
seven (7) sessions.
For me, the officials of NOCs/NOAs in Asia must fulfill their
obligation in the promotion of the Olympic Education among the
young participants in their own countries. It is with this conviction,
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