it was with great pleasure that we have received many positive replies from members to the publication of the first TAFISA Newsletter in December last year. With this encouragement in mind please find enclosed the second edition. Moreover, please notify that we need your support for preparing the next volumes – just send us articles incl. photos if possible on your projects, programs etc. and we will include into the Newsletter.

Let me take the opportunity to express our gratitude to the TAFISA partners you find on top of this Newsletter. Without their morale and financial support TAFISA would not be able to pursue its work!

Dr. Shang-Hi Rhee                    Wolfgang Baumann

President                                  General Secretary

For more information about the workshop, please refer to the attached program.  Registration for the workshop is still available.  Contact us at the TAFISA office for a registration form and details.

In conjunction with the 4th TAFISA World Sport for All Games held in 2008 in Busan, Korea, TAFISA proudly produced its third magazine, Traditional Sport and Games: New Perspectives on Cultural Heritage. 

Awareness of traditional games and sports has diminished in the 20th century, however is again on the rise due to the recognition of the significant role traditional games and sports can play as part of our cultural heritage and local identity.  The magazine includes articles on the culture, history and joy of traditional games and sports.

It is only through generous contributions, from authors all over the world, that we are able to produce such a magazine, and continue to pursue Jürgen Palm’s mission to bridge the gap between theory and practice in Sport for All. 

If you wish for copies of the magazine, please contact us at the TAFISA office, or visit our website (http://www.tafisa.net/) to download copies.

All TAFISA members should have received invoices for the 2009 membership fee via email or post.  Please, if you have not received your invoice, or have any queries regarding the invoice, contact us at the office as soon as possible.

Active members should note that their right to vote at the General Assembly in September 4, 2009 in Taipei will be suspended if they have not paid both their 2008 and 2009 membership fees.

Iran Families Walking Ahead of the Pack

Three years ago, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran decided to even more strengthen Sport for All, and increased funding 12 fold between 2007 and 2009.  Consequently, Iran Sport for All Federation under the chair of president Mr. Haidari and vice president Mrs. Mitra Rouhi Dehkordi, also member of the TAFISA board,  the “Family Walking” project was planned, and it was anticipated initially that perhaps 4000 people would participate. 

However, through revising the strategy and building Family Walking’s reputation, Iran hosted Family Walking in 15 different provinces during 2008, with a total of 4.8 million participants.  Larger cities, such as Qazvin, had as many as 300,000 participants!  The Government provided financial support in the form of cash rewards, prizes and sports clothing, and many private sponsors now contribute also.

Given its success, Iran Sport for All Federation plans to continue Family Walking, and notes that it is important to encourage all age groups, and both men and women, to participate.  This helps to nurture the growing attitude amongst the community of continued participation in Sport for All.

During the International German Gymnastic Festival 2009 in Frankfurt/Main
the 1 st International Sports Science Congress it taking place on June 4th - 5th 2009
at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Frankfurt .

The deadline for the submission of abstracts is renewed to March 1th, 2009.
So far sports scientists and sports officials from eleven nations have confirmed their participation. The president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) Dr. Thomas Bach will deliver the welcoming speech and the keynote speakers for the main topics are:

• Education – Children’s Gymnastics and Youth Sports – Ph. D. Don Sabo, Research Director for the Women’s Sports Foundation
• Health – Health Promotion – Prof. Dr. Walter Brehm, University of Bayreuth
• Integration and Migration – Gymnastics and Sports with and for Immigrants – Dr. Tess Kay, Loughborough University

Please note that you first have to register for the congress before you submit your transcript. You find more detailed information under http://www.turnfest-congress.de/.

After 1880, 1908, 1948 and 1983, Frankfurt, a metropolis in the heart of Europe, will be your host for the International German Gymnastics Festival – for the fifth time. From May 30th to June 5th 2009, the German Gymnastics Federation and the organizing committee of the International German Gymnastics Festival welcome you to the Turnfest.

We expect about 75,000 participants and more than a hundred thousand visitors from all over the world, under the motto, “building bridges” – “wir schlagen brücken”. There will be over 1,000 events inviting everyone to participate or to watch. We encourage all international guests to participate in the competitions – this goes for elite athletes, as well as general sports participants.

For a successful event we need your support! The German Gymnastics Federation would be pleased to welcome you as visitors as well as active participants in Frankfurt, to take part in the world’s greatest sports-for-all event. Competitions, presentations, sporting events, fun activities and games – a good time in Frankfurt will be offered to athletes of all ages.

It would be a great help for us if you could support the Turnfest and link our homepage to yours. We also would be very pleased if you could ensure the promotion of our festival to your clubs and members. The deadline for the registration of active participants is February, 28th. For more detailed information please go to http://www.turnfest.de/.

If you have any further questions please feel free to send us an e-mail to info@turnfest.de.