It was a great privilege for me to the International Peace Sports Festival (IPSF) as staff, accompanying teams from Delhi, Chennai and Sikkim, representing three different states and regions of India. In total there were 68 participants from India. Our individual participants performed well. The 24 participants from Chennai won 18 medals (4 gold, 8 silver & 6 bronze medals) in the following events: tennis, table tennis, badminton, discus throw, short put, long jump, high jump, triple jump and track events.
All of the Indian team members and officials really enjoyed the spirit of the Sports Festival. For them it was their first experience in associating interreligious cooperation with excellence in sports. There were participants from 56 nations and various religious traditions at the festival.
Cultural nights organized during the IPSF helped everyone to understand each country's culture and traditions. Transcending the barriers of religion, race and culture, young athletes could mingle together for better understanding. Everyone could understand Rev. Moon's vision for sports as a tool for world peace. Through this wonderful event we have created young IIFWP Ambassadors for Peace who may lead the nation in the future.
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At Chennai International Airport, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu gave a warm welcome to the IPSF participants. The vice chairman of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu congratulated the winners. In his speech he emphasized the importance of this Festival. The team members testified to their wonderful experience in Korea and the hospitality of the Korean people.
All over Tamil Nadu the IPSF received wide coverage through the various media, and the news was published in three of the leading newspapers in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority has offered us their full support for all of our sports events in the future.
Mr. Sarath Kamal, who was a participant from Chennai at last year's IPSF, represented India at the Olympics in Athens this past August, and I have hope that this year's participants will reach similar heights in the future.