The UNIAG 2005 ended in Crete on 25th of April last, with words of congratulations
and compliments for the WHO Organizing Committee. WHO was the host organizer of the
UNIAG 2005, and the members of the organizing committee (all of whom worked on a voluntary basis, while continuing
with their full time jobs) worked very hard to ensure that the IAG 2005 games would be a great success!
From the comments that were received, it is felt that this was indeed achieved, for example from the Aghanistan
delegation:
Dear All,
Our team just arrived in Afghanistan with big smiles on their faces! I just got
a «short» briefing from one of the colleagues and heard the great news of the
3 medals!
I wanted to thank each and everyone of you for helping us all through the last 4-5
months. I was in charge of one country only and I was under a lot of pressure
because of all the problems we faced, so I could imagine what you all went
through, dealing with so many people from all over the world with different
ideas and expectations. Great Job! I was told that everything was perfectly taken
care of. This is what’s called team work and team spirit. I congratulate you all on
the excellent job you did. Even hearing a small part of it, made me so jealous of the
people who were actually there and witnessed the event. I decided to be in Rome
next year for the Games, whether with UN or as a freelance cheer leader!
Wish you all success in every step you take.
The arrivals in the tiny airport of Heraklion
were met by Cretan ladies in traditional
dress bearing roses… which set the scene for
the splendid 4 days to follow.
The opening ceremony was a magical
evening with folklore music and dancing
by the famous troupe from Anopolis village.
3 hours of dinner and show where
everyone joined in the fun and danced.
The décor and the weather helped
(thank you Zeus!)… with sunshine, sandy
beaches, delicious food and nice hotels.
The people of Hersonissos were charming
and welcomed us with open arms. The
Mayor informed us that the locals were
thrilled to have so many international
people at once in their little town.
Over 800 UN staff members
travelled to Crete from around the
globe including Rome, Vienna,
Paris, New York, Arusha, Kigali,
Brazil. We would like to give a
particular mention to the Afghan
delegation from Kabul. For the
first time, approximately 25 local
staff from the United Nation’s
Mine Action Center of Afghanistan
(UNMACA) and other local UN
field offices in Kabul, made the 40
hour journey to partake in these
games! The Afghan delegation
showed great enthusiasm and
sportsmanship, and demonstrated
to us all what the spirit of the IAG
Games should mean to everyone.
There were 13 different sports
disciplines and football, tennis
and golf counted the most participants.
The football teams were
even signing autographs for the
locals who came to watch the
matches in an electrified atmosphere.
The athletes participating in the
10km run were welcomed at the
finish line by local beauties of a
four legged kind… 10 mules
greeted the first runners and carried
them up a small hill to where
refreshments were provided in a
local tavern.
The closing ceremony was a
gala dinner in the Paladium with a
local group playing international
music. The highlight being the
awards ceremony and… the belly
dancers! Dancing went on until
the small hours of the morning…
The committee would like to thank all of
the participants who attended these games,
and would like to particularly thank the following
persons for their help and kindness:
Dr Michel Jancloes, WHO
Mr Spiros Danellis,
Mayor of Hersonissos, Crete.
Kostas and Minas Plevarakis
and the Plevarakis Group,
Anapolis, Crete.
Mr Dimitris Tsamis, Grecomar Touristik
Mr Cambitsis,
Permanent Mission of Greece, Geneva
Ms Pilar Chiang-Joo, UNESCO
Staff and management of
the Minos Imperial Hotel
Staff and management of
the Creta Sun Hotel
Ms Anastasia Stamboli, Glaros Hotel
A special thanks to UNFCU, the official
sponsor of the Interagency Games.
This is the fifth consecutive year that
United Nations Federal Credit Union
(UNFCU) has sponsored the UN Inter-Agency
Games.
“Supporting the UN Inter-Agency Games is
an extension of UNFCU’s commitment to the
UN community,” said Shabira Zindel, Business
Relationship Manager for UNFCU in
Geneva, who spoke at the Games’ opening
ceremonies. “In Serving the People Who
Serve the World„ we are proud to help continue
UNIAG’s legacy and to see it grow and
prosper.”
UNFCU is a cooperative financial services
organization, which provides a broad range of
financial product and service offerings, as
well as financial solutions, to staff members
of the United Nations, its specialized agencies,
retirees and their families worldwide.
“With these Games, we celebrate the connections
we share – a profound dedication to
the spirit of friendly competition among family
members and great appreciation for one
another,” said Ms. Zindel. “On behalf of
UNFCU’s Board of Directors, senior management
team and staff, thank you for making
UNFCU an integral part of so many of your
financial lives.
Please feel free to visit the website
www.who.int/about/iag2005 to see all the
results and view the photo gallery of the event.
The Committee wishes every success to the organizers of IAG 2006, which will be a joint effort by the UN Agencies in Rome.
N° 641 June 2005