IPC President Honored; Japan Medal Prediction; Uganda NOC Official Steps Aside

IPC President Honored for Humanitarian Work

Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, is the recipient of a sport development award and a $100,000 grant.

The Foundation for Global Sports Development gave Craven this year’s Humanitarian Award and the funds to continue his work in youth sport development.

The Paralympian in both wheelchair basketball and swimming formed the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation in 1989 and served as its president from 1989-2002. He has headed the IPC since 2001 and contributed to the body’s focus on sport development.

"Sir Philip is a true champion of sport in all senses of the word," said Steven Ungerleider, founding board member of GSD.

"Winning medals is one thing, but providing opportunities for others to enhance themselves moves society forward. We need more humanitarians like Sir Philip."

The sport development foundation works to develop youth and conducts mentoring programs through which children can visit the Olympics.

Japan Medal Prediction

Japan Olympic officials expect the country’s Olympic team to bag "10 to 12 gold medals" in London.

A report in the Kyodo News Agency says the JOC completed a two-day meeting with heads of national sport bodies on Wednesday and made the prediction following the meetings.

"Our country currently has the ability to win about 10 to 12 gold medals," Haruki Uemura a JOC official and gold medalist in judo was quoted by the agency.

"The situation is tough right now, but I'm sure things will get better in the remaining six months.

"I want Japanese athletes to make no mistake in winning medals in not only judo, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming but also athletics, sailing, shooting, women's soccer," he added.

Uganda Secretary General Steps Aside

The secretary general of the Uganda Olympic Committee is "stepping aside" in her role as investigations are launched into whether she committed forgery.

Peninah Kabenge is accused of signingthe name of UOC president Roger Ddungu on her nomination letter for the IOC Women and Sport Award, which she is set to receive on Feb. 16.

Kabenge says she has done nothing wrong. Speaking to reporters Tuesday before leaving for the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Kabenge says that Ddungu was aware of her actions.

"It was supposed to be signed by president or secretary but I couldn't sign for myself because I was a nominee," she said. "We even copied in the president on his email. I did nothing wrong. I trust the committee will do an objective job."

Reports indicate she is stepping aside for 10 days to allow the investigation to run its course.

Dismal Predictionfor Indian Hockey

One of the members of India’s hockey team says the sport’s future in India hinges on qualifying for the London Olympics.

India, one of the traditional powerhouses in hockey, failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

"If we don’t qualify this time, then hockey will almost die in our country," Shivendra Singh was quoted by the Press Tribune of India.

"I was part of the team in Chile and I know how much it hurt us and the entire nation when we failed to qualify. Had we qualified, I would have been an Olympian by now," he added.

Media Watch

Canada’s The Chronicle Herald reflects on the Salt Lake City figure skating tournament, marred by controversy that kept a Canadian skating pair from winning gold.

Bob Ryan, a longtime columnist for The Boston Globe, announced he will retire following the London Olympics. "The secret's out," he told ESPN on Tuesday. "I'm planning on going to the London Olympics and then saying goodbye." Ryan has covered numerous Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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