Supervisor Fiona Ma: Welcoming Youth to Our City

San Francisco is proud to announce that it has been awarded host city for the 2008 International Children's Games (ICG).

Just last month, I led a 15-person delegation to Coventry, England to submit San Francisco's formal bid to the ICG Committee to host the 2008 games and compete in this year's games. Hosting the games will give San Francisco the opportunity to host the world's youth at our City to celebrate our multicultural community just four weeks before the 2008 Summer Olympics are held in Beijing, China.

The ICG is an annual event that draws 3,500 youth participants and more than 50,000 visitors, including coaches, athletes' families and dignitaries from 60 countries. Over the course of the four-day event, the ICG can bring in more than $14 million into San Francisco. The ICG is the only global, youth athletic event that combines sports with educational programs and cultural exchanges.

Sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, the event brings together young athletes, between the ages of 12 and 15, to put forth their personal best in track and field, tennis, swimming, volleyball, soccer, table tennis, basketball and golf. Though sports serve as the catalyst for the International Children's Games, this event is truly about providing the opportunity for children, their families and communities to participate in an international cultural exchange. It is about quenching the thirst for knowledge and promoting peace, tolerance, integrity and fair play among children during a time when they are very impressionable. It is about encouraging the desire for achievement and the commitment to excel among children who will, all too soon, become adults and players in the game of life.

The 2008 International Children's Games and Cultural Festival in San Francisco will create an opportunity to celebrate the multicultural fabric of San Francisco and the economic opportunities that our region has to offer. The games will engage thousands of athletes, dignitaries, students and Northern California residents and visitors in ongoing dialogue.

The 2008 ICG will be held throughout the City, from the opening ceremonies at SBC Park to track and field, swimming, basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, table tennis and golf events at the campuses of USF, San Francisco State University and around Golden Gate Park.

I look forward to welcoming the games to San Francisco and encourage the opportunity for more events such as the International Children's Games to be hosted in our City, bringing both valuable experiences and opportunities for our youth and an economic boon for our businesses.

Supervisor Fiona Ma represents District 4.