Sports Camp For School Students With Stellar Sporting Duo at AU
Ajman University invited the legendary couple who have etched their names in the world of sports in general and especially in the arena of Karate. Geoff Thompson, a World Karate Champion who held the title for 5 Years and Janice Thompson, also a World Karate Champion; they visited UAE for the first time and were hosted by Ajman University for a multi sports camp organized as part of the Year of Giving Initiative. The three-day camp fostered youngsters from schools across the different Emirates of Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and others.
The camp included motivational sessions and many sports activities for the male and female students such as kick-boxing, aerobics, football, tennis, physical exercises amongst others. The motivational talks before, during and at the end of each camp day encouraged the youth to be physically active and abstain from the social vices of peer pressure, bullying and video gaming.
The male and female participants who represented a myriad of diversities in terms of nationality, age and others, expressed their delight at attending a sports camp that not only had an impact on their physical but mental health also. They were encouraged to put away their mobiles and iPad and communicate with their peers at the camp. They were expected to communicate and work as a team with different age groups hence building a sense of responsibility and leadership in them. Parents who came to drop off or pick up their children were satisfied with the camp, a mom explained, “My child and his friends wouldn’t stop talking about it, I have asked more kids from the neighborhood to join in.”
Geoff Thompson was honored in 1995 in the Queens New Year’s Honours list with an MBE for his services to sport and community. He is also the founder and Executive Chair of Youth Charter. The sporting duo head the UK based Youth Charter, a UN NGO that has a track record of creating and providing social and human development programmes and projects globally. They encourage institutions and individuals to foster an environment conducive to positivity and focused on developing their latent talents and channeling their energies.
Ajman University attributes this event to the context of “Year of Giving” initiatives aimed at community service to enhance and encourage the spirit of giving and exchange of knowledge.
Dr. Karim Seghir, AU Chancellor honored Mr. Geoff Thompson, MBE and Mrs. Janice Thompson in recognition of their brilliant contribution at the sports camp. The Thompsons then awarded the participants with certificates, at the end of the 3 day camp.
