Global Forum for Sports and Environment
G-ForSE Prizewinners
AnnouncedWith so many excellent nominations to choose from, the G-ForSE 2003 Prize Selection Committee were faced with no easy task, but managed to select three outstanding examples of environmental action in the world of sport. We are proud therefore to announce this year's winners. The G-ForSE Prize 1. Action on 'sports facilities and the environment': Highclay Co., Ltd Playing field and schoolyard development using recycled soil produced at water treatment plants. Recycling soil generated at water treatment plants for improving the quality of playing fields and schoolyard soil. This project contributes not only to the creation of recycled products, but also to the control of waste created at processing facilities, a significant reduction in the amount of imported natural resources, and also to a transition toward transport energy savings. Through corporate activities, Highclay are promoting environmental contributions to sports facilities and, specifically, trying to promote understanding by local governments. Working at over 2000 sites around the country, the product is not only used by schools and other educational facilities, but also by public parks and welfare facilities for the elderly. http://www.highclay.co.jp/ 2. Action on 'sports events and the environment': Sadili Oval Sports Club Nature and Sports Training Camps Provides environmental education and sports training to 6400 children in communities in Langata and Kibera (Africa's biggest slum) in Nairobi, Kenya. Sadili is committed to develop sports as a lifestyle (especially among the young, offering sports that are not often available to most African communities), environmental training, leadership and life-skills support, and value and health education. Regular camps are held where participants conduct clean ups, plant trees and receive valuable coaching in football, basketball, tennis. http://www.sadili.com 3. Action on 'sports equipment and the environment': Mizuno Corporation Mizuno Global Environmental Conservation Project"CREW21" Started in September 1991 with an understanding that environmental issues were an important theme to which today's sports world (industry) could not turn a blind eye, Mizuno has developed exacting standards, reexamining the production process from raw material to end product and waste materials. Mizuno is setting the standard in environmental considerations and has developed a strong reputation throughout the sports goods industry. http://www.mizuno.co.jp/crew21/ The G-ForSE Special Prize - the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize The G-ForSE Special Prize - the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize recipient is chosen by the G-ForSE 2003 Executive Committee for an outstanding contribution to tackling environmental problems on a global scale. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the governing body for volleyball and beach volleyball, was selected as this year's winner for its outstanding work in raising environmental awareness among players, spectators and sponsors during the Beach Volleyball World Tour in 2003. The Ecoflag was flown throughout the Beach Volleyball World Tour, under the slogan 'Keep the beach clean - think environment' http://www.fivb.ch/ The Ecoflag Prize www.ecoflag.com The Prize is awarded to an athlete that has made a major contribution to increasing environmental awareness or action in the world of sports, whether promoting environmental awareness while actively participating in professional sport or devoting time after retirement to sports and environmental education for young athletes. This year's award is presented to beach volleyball players, Koichi Nishimura and Kentaro Asahi of the team Beach Winds. Koichi Nishimura and Kentaro Asahi switched from indoor volleyball to beach volleyball at the suggestion of internationally renowned libero, Nishimura. Playing in the new environment made them more aware of the damage being done to the environment and they became active in increasing awareness and action among spectators, event promoters and fellow athletes. Their contribution lends itself not just to the environment but enhances the reputation of the emerging sport as progressive and socially conscious. |