- Royal Dutch Soccer Association (KNVB) in Zeist
- Local partner: the Surinam Soccer Association
- Project title: 'Extra Impulse Paralympics' in Suriname
- Period: April 2004 until December 2004
The Project The project ''Extra Impulse Paralympics' in Suriname' was executed by the KNVB Academy and the Surinam Soccer Association. They were focusing on founding a soccer competition for disabled persons in Suriname. Here, attention was paid to the instructions of the referees and of assistants and volunteers, to the organisation of the tournament, and to promotion among the Surinam population. The project was an investment into Surinam soccer infrastructure. It backed the purchase of sport materials and expertise enhancement by means of organizing workshops for volunteers (for example referees). The KNVB Academy delivered two internships. Furthermore, the project supported participation of a Surinam delegation to the Caribbean Games in Jamaica (July 2004) and to the Paralympic Games of 2004 in Athens. The Results The Surinam soccer competition for persons with a mental disability will start in the middle of 2005. The KNVB Academy has also supported adapted sports in Surinam in cooperation with Surinam sport organisations. This is done not in the least by the first participation of Surinam at the Paralymic Games by two athletes. It is also notable that Surinam participated with the youngest athlete and that the athletes were able to improve their personal records markedly. In Athens they first encountered special aiding equipment such as 'a vaulting buck' which is used by wheelchair athletes at, for example, putting the weight. At arrival back in Surinam the delegation was welcomed by the First Lady of Surinam, Mrs Venetiaan. Surinam was extremely proud of the performance of the athletes. This appeared amongst others from the amount of media reactions and from the fact that the welcoming of the delegation by Mrs Venetiaan was broadcasted live on national television. The ultimate goal, improvement of acceptation and integration of persons with a disability in Surinam, was very much aided with the possibility to take part in the Caribbean Games and the Paralympic Games and with the realisation of the soccer competition for disabled persons. The attention paid by the media was another help. About KNVB The KNVB is the biggest Dutch sport organisation. The KNVB has an international academy from which sport development in general and soccer development in particular in developing countries are being promoted. In this respect, the KNVB works amongst others in Surinam, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia. Website: www.knvb.nl |  |