


UTS 2020 Youth Festival Patronage
“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/

Sasha Mikhailov – IPSC Youth Ambassador for the UTS Youth Festival 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!

Anastasia Mustonen – IPSC Youth Ambassador for the UTS Youth Festival 2020
Anastasia Mustonen is a 17-year-old IPSC junior athlete and a member of IPSC Finland who competes at the highest level in such disciplines as IPSC Handgun and Rifle. Anastasia is the IPSC Youth Ambassador for the UTS Youth Festival 2020.
Anastasia’s career highlights in individual events include winning gold and silver medals in IPSC National and European Championships, she is five-time gold medalist of Finland and now she is preparing for the World Shoot.
How did you first hear about IPSC?
I found out about IPSC and practical shooting thanks to my dad who is currently shooting and brought me into this sport.
For how long have you been shooting?
I have been practicing shooting since I was 13 years old. I compete with a rifle and a handgun, most of the time with a handgun.
What division do you shoot and why?
My main division in handgun shooting is Production, because there is more competition. Sometimes I shoot Standard in pursuit of competition. In rifle, I compete the Open Division.
What is the coolest about IPSC shooting?
This sport develops concentration, speed and endurance. Different age categories can participate in it, from juniors to seniors. Also makes it possible to travel to competitions in different countries, learn their culture and make new acquaintances.
What do your friends and family think about you shooting IPSC?
My friends and family think this is a very interesting and unusual sport and support me in everything.
What are the biggest challenges you have when shooting IPSC?
I have participated in many high level international competitions, in seven handgun Championships in Finland (2nd Lady Production 2016 and four-time 1st Lady Production and two-time 1st Lady Standard 2017-2020).
My latest achievements are:
- World Pistol Championship 2017 in France.
- Nordic Championship Rifle 2018 in Finland (first Lady Standard).
- IPSC Rifle World Championship 2019 in Sweden
- European Handgun Championship 2019 in Serbia (2nd place – Finnish Lady Team Standard)
My dream is to become a World Champion and win the Olympic Games!
We stand United Trough Sports!

IPSC President Newsletter – September, 2020
IPSC President Newsletter – September, 2020
SPANISH VERSION IS BELOW
Dear Regional Directors,
Dear Athletes,
Dear Range Officers,
Dear Instructors and Trainers!
I would like to inform you that a Continental Council meeting was conducted on September 22nd, 2020.
During the meeting the representatives of the different IPSC Zones shared their experience on training, conducting matches and other IPSC activities under the pandemic circumstances.
Safety marshals have been introduced in the Philippines: their main task is to make sure that the competitors and other participants of the event keep wearing masks and keep the social distance.
Indonesia Region has very interesting experience in conducting online Level I and Level II competitions this year. To the applause of the participants, the idea of holding the Australasian online competition was voiced.
Online Zoom meeting has been organized by the Philippine Region in the Austral Asia Zone which was very useful and productive for the members of the Zone, they shared their experience, challenges and news from the Regions of the Zone.
We were very sorry to learn the fact that some Range Officers in the Philippines died from the COVID-19. We express our condolences to the relatives and friends of all IPSC members killed by the virus.
All the Continental Council representatives reported that slowly but surely sport activities are starting to be conducted in the Regions with some restrictions which differ from Region to Region. During the last 2,5 months there have been conducted almost twice more Level III matches than during the first half of the year 2020. The necessity to stay in quarantine after the travel to the matches to another country prevents competitors from participating in the international matches.
Continental Council members thanked IROA for providing safety guidance on conducting IPSC matches as the recommended protocol is followed in the majority of the Regions.
Draft of the Constitution amendments which are discussed by the Constitution Committee were presented to the Continental Council members.
Brief update on GAISF application was presented to the Continental Council representatives:
Two main criteria are to be fulfilled to become a GAISF full member:
- There should be at least 40 National Federations recognized by either the National Sport Authority or by the National Olympic Committee. At the moment GAISF approved the recognition from 29 National IPSC Federations. The work is in progress. Unfortunately, the pandemics slow down the process.
- IPSC should become a WADA Code Signatory. The work is in progress.
Brief update on MISSIA development was presented to the Continental Council representatives such as the new design of the Range book, different teaching materials.
Trial Match of 30 stages will be conducted by Thailand region in dates 04-06 December 2020. Now the organizers are discussing with the police the procedure of how to get the permit for international athletes to participate in this event.
There was a discussion concerning a minimal barrel length for the PCC as well as introduction of the divisions for the Open and Iron sights. The item will be discussed in more details at the upcoming Executive Council meeting.
Next Continental Council meeting is planned for November 24th, 2020.
Stay safe! DVC!
IPSC President
Vitaly Kryuchin
ESPAÑOL.
Estimados Directores Regionales,
Estimados Atletas,
Estimados Oficiales de Rango,
Estimados Instructores y Entrenadores!
Me gustaría informarles que se llevó a cabo una reunión del Consejo Continental el 22 de Septiembre del 2020.
Durante la reunión, los representantes de las diferentes Zonas de IPSC compartieron su experiencia en el entrenamiento, la realización de competencias y otras actividades IPSC bajo las circunstancias de la pandemia.
Se han introducido mariscales de seguridad en Filipinas: su tarea principal es asegurarse de que los competidores y otros participantes del evento sigan usando máscaras y mantengan la distancia social.
La Región de Indonesia tiene una experiencia muy interesante en la realización de competencias en línea de Nivel I y Nivel II este año. Ante el aplauso de los participantes, se expresó la idea de realizar la competencia Australasia en línea.
La reunión en Zoom fue organizada por la Región de Filipinas en la Zona Australasia, la cual fue muy útil y productiva para los miembros de la Zona quienes compartieron su experiencia, desafíos y novedades de sus respectivas Regiones.
Lamentamos mucho saber que algunos oficiales de campo en Filipinas murieron a causa del COVID-19. Expresamos nuestras condolencias a los familiares y amigos de todos los miembros de IPSC quienes perecieron por el virus.
Todos los representantes del Consejo Continental informaron que de forma lenta pero segura se están comenzando a realizar actividades deportivas en las Regiones con algunas restricciones que difieren de una Región a otra. Durante los últimos 2,5 meses se han realizado casi el doble de competencias de Nivel III más que durante el primer semestre del año 2020. La necesidad de permanecer en cuarentena después del viaje a las competencias a otro país impide que los competidores participen en eventos internacionales.
Los miembros del Consejo Continental agradecieron a IROA por brindar orientación de seguridad sobre la realización de competencias IPSC, ya que el protocolo recomendado se sigue en la mayoría de las Regiones.
El borrador de las enmiendas a la Constitución que están siendo discutidas por el Comité de Constitución se presentó a los miembros del Consejo Continental.
Se presentó una breve actualización sobre la aplicación GAISF a los representantes del Consejo Continental:
Se deben cumplir dos criterios principales para convertirse en miembro de pleno derecho de GAISF:
- Debería haber al menos 40 Federaciones Nacionales reconocidas por la Autoridad Deportiva Nacional o por el Comité Olímpico Nacional. Por el momento, GAISF aprobó el reconocimiento de 29 Federaciones Nacionales de IPSC. El trabajo está en progreso. Desafortunadamente, las pandemias ralentizan el proceso.
- IPSC debe convertirse en signatario del Código de la AMA. El trabajo está en progreso.
Se presentaron breves actualizaciones sobre el desarrollo de MISSIA a los representantes del Consejo Continental, como el nuevo diseño del manual de Cancha y diferentes materiales didácticos.
El Trial Match de 30 etapas se llevará a cabo en la región de Tailandia en las fechas del 4 al 6 de Diciembre de 2020. Actualmente los organizadores están discutiendo con la policía el procedimiento para obtener el permiso para que los atletas internacionales participen en este evento.
Hubo una discusión sobre la longitud mínima del cañón para PCC, así como la introducción de las divisiones para las miras Open y Iron. El tema se discutirá con más detalle en la próxima reunión del Consejo Ejecutivo.
La próxima reunión del Consejo Continental está prevista para el 24 de Noviembre de 2020.
¡Mantenerse a sano y saludable! DVC!
Vitaly Kryuchin
Presidente de IPSC
ipsc.org

United Through Sports (UTS) organisers launch the official logo for the first edition of the UTS Virtual Youth Festival 2020
United Through Sports (UTS) organisers launch the official logo for the first edition of the UTS Virtual Youth Festival 2020. The logo stands to represent unity in diversity through the inclusion of all youth regardless of ability.
The design uses a vibrant, bold and youthful colour palette appealing to the younger generations signifying fun and positivity. The festival logo is built upon the foundations of the UTS official logo and adapted towards the novel virtual festival concept.
The centre of the logo symbolises the digital world with four different youth encircling the globe. They are connected across the world sharing the same experience, the same event at the same time. The font was chosen to give an urban, brushstroke and down-to-earth approach to demonstrate the feeling of movement and creativity.
This festival encourages youth to showcase their unique talents and creativity, offering them a chance to shine bright during a difficult time. Over 60 organizations and federations have joined to participate and/or contribute towards this unique event which has been patronized by the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics, Sportaccord and GAISF.
UTS aims to focus on promoting more inclusion through sport, to encourage a change in perspective and create more opportunities for youth with different abilities.
The UTS Virtual Youth Festival is to be the first of its kind and seeks to promote a universal platform beyond borders connecting youth from all backgrounds and all abilities to come together to enjoy sport and education during the festival.
UTS/AIMS President, Stephan Fox, said: “Now is the time to unite towards a better world. Many children around the world will remain in quarantine after the pandemic ends and we need to find sustainable solutions to reach them, to give them opportunities and to include them.”
We all feel the impact the pandemic has had on the international sport community, he said: “No child should be forgotten or left behind and now we have a unique chance to motivate the youth and keep them engaged in sports towards their physical health and wellness.”
“The festival will give the youth joy through the digital ecosystem. With an increase of mental health issues in many parts of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, we all need to remember the youth are also facing many challenges during this crisis.”
Despite the short amount of time to mobilise and host the festival, UTS is confident that with the strong aligned partnerships, the festival will bring excitement, happiness and a breath of fresh air. At a time when the world is facing a unique challenge, we must stand in solidarity for one another to promote inclusion, non-discrimination, peace-promotion and equality letting the smiles be a universal welcome.
One Spirit – One Heart.
Source: http://aimsisf.org/news/united-through-sports-uts-organisers-launch-the-official-logo-for-the-first-edition-of-the-uts-virtual-youth-festival-2020/