Uniondale, NY - March 21, 2014 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that Nassau County will be hosting the 41st Annual United Nations Inter-Agency Games in Eisenhower Park and Mitchel Athletic Complex from Wednesday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 27th.
The disciplines of the 41st UNIAG are: Athletics (men/women), Badminton, Basketball, Bridge, Chess, Cricket, Darts, Football (men/women), Golf, Pétanque, Squash, Swimming (men/women), Table Tennis (men/women), Tennis, and Volleyball (men/women). As well as the inclusion of three new disciplines: Flag Football, Netball and Softball (co-ed).
In 1968 the “Commission des Sports de l’Association du Personnel de l’UNESCO” organized an omnisports meeting in Paris against a team from UN Geneva. In 1971, UN Geneva organized the first multi-institutional sports competition in Champéry, Switzerland. Ten organizations of the UN System with offices in Europe participated.
The Games included the following disciplines: chess, football, table tennis, tennis and men’s volleyball. Thus the United Nations Inter-Agency Games were initiated and the principle of alternating the venue and the responsibility for the organization of the Games among the UN organizations in Geneva, Rome, Vienna and Paris were adopted. General Rules for the Games were adopted and a Control Commission established to assure their adherence. Over the years, the Games have developed from 5 disciplines and some 350 participants to 13 disciplines and more than 1000 participants.
At the 2012 Olympic Games, the Secretary-General of the United Nations conveyed the message to the world that sports can be used for humanitarian, development and peace building initiatives. For the past 40 years, the staff of the United Nations has emphasized that same message by organizing the United Nations Inter-Agency Games (UNIAG). Through the universal language of sport, individual staff members from all agencies and organizations of the United Nations system unite once a year to reaffirm their commitment to the dignity and worth of every human person.
For the first time in its history, the 41st United Nations Inter-Agency Games will mark a historic moment as the first Games hosted by the staff of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The United Nations accepts this challenge with great pride and welcomes the opportunity to highlight the role of the United Nations in building respect, fellowship and health through sport.