Nov 18, 2020
Today the IPSC took part in the first UTS Festival’s workshop “Becoming a successful change leader in your community through sport” presented by YUNUS Sports Hub & IOC Youth Leaders.
IOC Youth Leaders shared their experiences with the UTS Festival’s participants and encouraged them to be leaders in life!
The IPSC Team was represented by Anastasia Mustonen from Finland, Sasha Mikhailov from UKPSA, Louise Groenewald from South Africa, and Roderick Seeto from Papua New Guinea.
Read more about here: Virtual Youth Festival 2020
Oct 8, 2020
“Cooperation is always more powerful than competition, and in union there is strength.”– UTS President Stephan Fox
As we mark the 50-day countdown to the UTS World Virtual Youth Festival 2020, youth around the world are now being activated and invited to participate in the festival competitions. Over 60 international sport affiliated organisations have joined towards celebrating the youth and giving them opportunities regardless to their abilities.
Real change occurs with the unity of many sharing in a united vision and mission. This festival has brought together strong partnerships who have granted their patronage to this unique youth centred event.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Special Olympics (SOI), SportAccord and GAISF have joined forces with UTS towards the united call to action for greater inclusion not only towards international sporting events, but towards greater social inclusion.
We all live in difficult circumstances including the world of sport, which faces unique challenges being unable to host sport events.
IOC President, Thomas Bach said: “The Corona virus has proven that sport and active lifestyle can save lives.” The IOC has been working since the beginning of this global pandemic to demonstrate how more than ever physical exercise and sport is vital to physical and mental health.
IPC President, Andrew Parsons said: “Never has sport and the need to remain active been as important as it is now during the global COVID-19 pandemic due to the physical and mental health benefits it brings. The IPC through its patronage fully supports this innovative festival that will engage youngsters of all abilities around the world.”
CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis said: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Special Olympics halted all training and competitions for 2020. It is important for our athletes to remain active, supported and certainly included.”
GAISF and SportAccord President, Raffaele Chiulli said: “Now is the time for the international sports community to lead by example and to inspire young people.”
The initiative of UTS goes back to 2017 and where in 2018 the first sports festival was held in conjunction with SportAccord with the second following on the Gold Coast in 2019. For both previous festival editions the IOC granted patronage towards the events supporting the mission to give youth access to sport and education.
Like all other sport related events, SportAccord 2020 was unfortunately cancelled due to the corona virus pandemic which led to the birth of the virtual festival as a solution towards the future. Most importantly, the festival will bring the youth of the world back together towards a brighter future.
The UTS festival is a united mission for the youth of the world to get active, be inspired and to ensure inclusion of everybody.It is a festival that will bring smiles especially for youth who have lost their smile. It is an opportunity for all participating organisations to bring back smiles together.
Source: https://unitedthroughsports.com/2020/10/02/uts-2020-youth-festival-patronage/
Sep 25, 2020
Sasha Mikhailov is a 13-year-old IPSC junior athlete and a member of UKPSA who competes at the highest level in such disciplines as IPSC Handgun and Action Air. Sasha is the IPSC Youth Ambassador for the UTS Youth Festival 2020.
Sasha’s career highlights in individual events include winning silver medal in the super junior production at the 2019 IPSC European Handgun Championship in Belgrade, Serbia, and now he is preparing for the World Shoot.
How did you first hear about IPSC?
My dad took me to the shooting camp in Finland organized by Vitaly Kryuchin. It was my first time when I saw Practical Shooting, and I fell in love with it.
For how long have you been shooting?
I have been shooting for 3 years since I started in Finland. Then I joined UKPSA in 2018, and now this is my sport.
What is the coolest about IPSC shooting?
It is definitely having fun, meeting new people and competing to the best of my ability while having the excitement of shooting the stages that are always new.
What do your friends and family think about you shooting IPSC?
My friends and family think that it is very cool to shoot and they are proud that I am progressing well. They also think that shooting IPSC helps to raise my skills such as discipline, concentration, agility, confidence and others.
What are the biggest challenges you have when shooting IPSC?
My biggest challenge when shooting IPSC is that I cannot practice Handgun anywhere in Great Britain. I must travel to other countries, usually Northern Ireland and Finland. Even the nearest Action Air club is two hours away from me. It is challenging to keep up with other athletes if most of my practice is dry fire.
I love IPSC because it requires speed, accuracy and power.
I would like to make the World a better place by standing United Trough Sports!
Today the IPSC took part in the first UTS Festival’s workshop “Becoming a successful change leader in your community through sport” presented by YUNUS Sports Hub & IOC Youth Leaders.
