Open the newspaper about the Social Inclusion Games with impressions, quotes etc.

http://www.socialinclusiongames.info/wp-content/uploads/krantsignengels.pdf

Finally, alle foto’s zijn binnen en verwerkt! Deze fantastische fotocollectie is tot stand gekomen dankzij de enorme inzet van de vier enthousiaste fotografen; Gert Muurling, Hans Beuzel, Monique Venhuis en Wilfred Robaard.

Enjoy!

Welcome to all the participants in Twente for the 2010 Social Inclusion Games. More than ever, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is convinced of the positive role which sport can and must play as a catalyst in today’s society. Physical activity and sport form part of human and social development; they contribute to social cohesion, mutual tolerance and integration.Placed under IOC patronage, this second edition of the Social Inclusion Games is an ideal opportunity to remember the value of participating in sport and recreational activities for people from all walks of life, hence contributing to their overall well-being. This is why I believe that this event will play an important part in increasing public awareness and
support, which will make it possible for thousands of people to overcome difficulties and reach their goal of a better life.

I would like to congratulate the Nederlands Olympisch Comité* Nederlandse Sport Federatie (NOC*NSF) for taking up this important challenge, showing its commitment to the cause of sport and how sport can and must be used as a vehicle to bring people together and as a means for positive change in our modern society.

I wish the organisers of the 2010 Social Inclusion Games every success. And the best of luck to the participants.

Eight countries take part in the SIGN 2010.
We gladly introduce them to you.

Denmark
Country where the first Social Inclusion Games took place. Fanatic SIG promoters. Are arriving with a large team. The kingdom from the North has a preference for sports like handball and football. Danish footballers often come to Holland. A Dane everyone knows is Hans Christian Andersen.

Germany
Big neighbour brother of the Netherlands. Federation of 16 states. Fantastic at football, but also at handball and racing. Germany often wins. Three times world champion football. Neighbour countries are a little jealous. Wie kent Der Kaiser Franz nicht?

Georgia
Is a transcontinental state: situated in Europe and Asia. The highest mountain is the Janga. On the mountain slopes tea and tobacco is grown. Georgians have always been good in weight lifting and wrestling.

Lithuania
Biggest country of the Baltic states. The centre of Europe is situated in Lithuania. This country belongs to the absolute world top in baseball. Great country to go and see.

The Netherlands
Host country of the SIGN. Always good at championships, often not good enough. Forever second at cycling (Joop Zoetemelk) and football (74, 87 en 2010). It can storm and blow along the coast and in land. Good in team and individual sports.

Slovenia
In Middle Europe, by the southern border of the Alps. Lots of woods and mountains. Sports and games in the winter and the summer. Has several strong cyclists and is good with the ball.

Czech Republic
Who doesn’t remember the goal in 1976? The Panenka penalty. Football is sport number 1. They also have great tennis players, like Ivan Lendl. A shame there is no ice is Twente. They do their very best at ice hockey. Remember to go to Prague some day.

Sweden
Obvious ofcourse: Borg, Abba and the Song Contest. What an export products. Fantastic scenery in a moderate climate. What more does one want? Ice hockey and skiing, the Swedish are good at these. Maybe there will be a winter version of the Games.

The organisation of the Social Inclusion Games in the Netherlands welcomes all participants and supervisors from these 8 beautiful European countries.

The Founding Fathers support the Social Inclusion Games (SIGN) financially. Several Founding Fathers have already spoken in the previous newsletters. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment is the last, but not least!Last year already we spoke with Menno Meihuizen and Heidi de Bodt of the Ministry, both of the administration of Reintegration and participation, about the program MeeDoen: sport and exercise, activation and work, meaning and culture. We also spoke about the Social Inclusion Games, an important part of the program sport and exercise for 2010. During a meeting with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment joined in and promised us a nice contribution for the games.

The commitment to support the games was initiated because sport and exercise is a first step towards reintegration and participation. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment recognised the objectives of the SIGN: little steps for socially marginalised people to be able to participate in society. The support of volunteers is also very important; among the volunteers are also clients.

But the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment also recognises another point of attention and that is poverty. Financial obstructions often play a negative role and makes participation of people difficult. This year is the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion. The Netherlands also asks extra attention for this subject. With the support of the SIGN, both themes of the Ministry come together. Former table tennis player Trinko Keen is ambassador of the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion and will take part in the opening ceremony on behalf of the Ministry. As organisation of the games, we are proud of this.