Press conference in BNS agency
The Games, EDUC Circuit meeting of EU Committee of the Regions, which will be held during the Games, were presented by the Director of the Games Kestutis Petraitis and the Deputy Mayor of Siauliai City and the Member of EU Committee of the Regions Daiva Matoniene.
“The patrons of the Games President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, the Member of the European Commission Androulla Vassiliou and the President of EU Committee of the Regions Mercedes Bresso make the implementation easier by their support and attention, they contribute to the increase of recognition, and establish the status of the Games and their global importance,” – said the Director of the Games, Kestutis Petraitis.
Daiva Matoniene, the Deputy Mayor of Siauliai City and the Member of EU Committee of the Regions, talked about the significance of the Games on EU list of events. It was mentioned that they had to work hard in order to achieve the opportunity to organize the Games in Lithuania and obtain the attention of the main EU institutions. “The competition was great, European Sports Organisations from many EU countries submitted their ideas, proposals, presentations were held to the representative of European Commissions and European Parliament. I am delighted that the Games Siauliai 2012 have been assessed as one of three events, which correspond EU priorities in sports best.” – said Daiva Matoniene.
After the examination of applications, received from various public organisations, European Commission Directorate General of Education and Culture has decided to grant 1.7 million Litas funding for the 5th TAFISA World Sport for All Games Siauliai 2012, which will be held in Siauliai Region. It was the first time, when the sports event in Lithuania has received direct funding of the European Commission from EU budget.
Recognizing the importance of TAFISA Games in Lithuania and emphasizing the idea of sports for all EU Committee of the Regions decided to organize Circuit meeting of EU Education, Youth, Culture, and Science (EDUC) Commission during the Games. It will be the first time, when such event will be held in Lithuania, which will be attended by representatives from 27 countries.
In addition to EDUC event TAFISA–UNESCO International Forum will be held as well. UNESCO – one of the patrons of the Games in Siauliai Region – is the organisation, which cares about the importance of maintaining national culture, games and sports, as intangible heritage.
