International Inspirational leaves a legacy in Azerbaijan

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, has seen firsthand the global legacy of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in a visit to Azerbaijan to see the impact of London 2012’s International Inspiration programme. Sir Philip was guest of honour in the Azeri capital, Baku, as the work of the initiative was marked at the International Inspiration legacy conference. The achievements of the programme have been acknowledged by the Azeri government who have committed to continuing its work.

International Inspiration is London 2012’s official international sports legacy programme. It aims to deliver on the ‘Singapore vision’ – the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport’. Using the power of high-quality physical education, sport and play, International Inspiration works to enrich the lives of 12 million children and young people of all abilities in twenty countries across the world, including Azerbaijan.

The three-year Azeri programme started in 2007 and has helped over 150,000 children, with 40,000 now regularly joining sport and play activities. Twenty-one playgrounds have been renovated in targeted schools to create safe spaces for children to play, widening access to sport and play for thousands of children and young people.

IPC President, Sir Philip Craven said: "It's fantastic to see firsthand the impact that International Inspiration has made to so many lives in Azerbaijan. I am particularly impressed by the commitment to integrate all children into the programme including children with impairments. The fact that these children are accepted as full members of society through their participation in safe and fun sporting activities is how life should be."

Numerous programmes have been put in place to positively impact the lives of thousands of children and young people. Projects have been implemented in schools, youth clubs and communities to increase opportunities for access to sport for those from disadvantaged groups, and to increase social integration for children in conflict, with disabilities and victims of crime.

International Inspiration has also been working with the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) to help the sports of football and volleyball provide better opportunities for disabled children. In turn, this is helping the organisational development and promotion of disability sport, which also includes specialist coach training. These coaches are now more qualified and skilled and better informed about the value of sport for those with disabilities. One example of the lasting benefit of this training is that the NPC is working with the Disabled Football Federation to develop coaching standards as well as providing visual aids and training handouts for other coaches working in special schools, so they too can benefit from additional resources and skills.

Programmes have also been implemented to ensure that disabled children are included in sporting events together with other children, through training young leaders and influencing attitudes.

One young leader, trained through International Inspiration, said: "Since working with kids with a disability I have grown as a Leader. I am more confident in running the sessions and I have learned to be more adaptable and well organised. I think the pupils benefited from the sessions because it gave them a real sense of achievement and it also boosted their self-esteem."

The programme has had an impact strategically and operationally; helping to develop grassroots sporting infrastructure as well as influencing policy change at a national level. International Inspiration has provided the catalyst for reviewing state policy on sport – by working with the Ministry of Youth & Sport in Azerbaijan to make legislation more comprehensive and inclusive. The result is the development of two new documents – National Strategy on PE and Sport Development (2009-2020) and law on PE and Sport. This new legislation makes provision for better inclusion in sport for children and young people, especially girls and women, and has created better conditions to play and do sport for children and youth of all abilities.

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: "I am very proud of the tremendous achievements of International Inspiration in Azerbaijan. In the three years since the programme was implemented, it has already made a real difference to the lives of children and young people in the country.

"When we won the bid, we were clear about our aims - to use the power of the London 2012 Games to inspire young people around the world and leave a lasting legacy. I am thrilled to see that this is happening in Azerbaijan and that its Government is committed to building on the fantastic work already achieved."

The International Inspiration baton has now been handed to the Azeri Government who is committed to continuing the programmes put in place by International Inspiration.

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