The Peace and Sport Awards reward the best initiatives for reconciliation through sport

Emotion and respect were on the menu this evening in Monaco during the first “Peace and Sport Awards” ceremony to recompense initiatives in sport that have made a particular contribution to social stability in the world in 2008.

In front of an audience of over 300 personalities from sport, politics, business and civil life assembled for the International Peace and Sport Forum, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of the international organisation presented awards for four projects and symbolic moments in sport that have successfully created links between divided or opposed communities.

The Peace and Sport Image of the Year Award:
Turkey and ArmeniaThis distinction for the best image of fraternization through sport was awarded for a photograph of the historic handshake between the President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gül and the President of Armenia, Serge Sarkissian, during the qualifying match for the Football World Cup between Turkey and Armenia. Thanks to football, this moment marked the end of nearly two decades of diplomatic silence.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the award jointly to Armen Grigorian, Armenian Minister of Youth and Sport, and to Mahmut Özgener, President of the Turkish Football Federation, who exchanged long greetings on stage, creating a moment of intense emotion amongst spectators.

The award for the best peace project from an International Sports Federation: Judo for Peace
This prize was awarded to Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) and to Jan Erick Scholtz, President of “Judo for Peace” a commission created by the IJF. It was presented by Joel Bouzou and Christine Dominguez, Director of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Prize for the Sports Event of the Year: Rally Ireland
Rally Ireland in November 2007 enabled a bridge to be built between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. For the millions of spectators, Rally Ireland showed an image of a peaceful island after decades of conflict. The prize for the best sports event of the year was given to John Naylor, President of “Motor Sport Ireland” and to Ronnie Trouton, President of the “Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs”.

Prize for the Non Governmental Organisation of the Year: Serge Betsen’s ' “Les Enfants de Biemassy”
The exceptional sportsman Serge Betsen explained the origin of this adventure. Conceived at the outset as a project to popularize rugby amongst disadvantaged youth in Cameroon, “Les Enfants de Biemassy” this sport as a vector for social integration.