On December 1 to 6, 2008, the 1st Athlete Congress & Youth Fan Winter Camp of Special Olympics East Asia region was held in Haikou, Hainan Province.

Since 2004, Special Olympics East Asia region has started to develop the Athlete Leadership Program for the purpose of training more excellent athlete leaders and laying a sound foundation for staging the first athlete congress across East Asia region. In the meantime, to continue the development goal put forth by the Global Youth Summit at the World Games in Shanghai, namely calling on the youth to provide service for more individuals with intellectual disabilities and more communities through their participation in the Special Olympics Games, the East Asia region held the 1st Athlete Leadership Congress & Youth Fan Winter Camp. The representatives at the congress included 16 Special Olympics athlete leaders, 20 youth partners and 15 mentors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese Taipei and Korea. Mrs. Anna Chan, Managing Director of SOI East Asia region addressed the meeting. Mr. Wang Zhijun, Chairman of Special Olympics China and Mr. Fu Guihe, Deputy Director of Hainan Disabled Persons' Federation made speeches at the welcome reception.

At the meeting, the participants conducted the heated discussion about the current hot issues: (1) following the leadership training program, what kinds of leading roles have they played? How about the actual effects? Have they met with any problems? (2) How shall the athlete leaders develop the leadership program once they return to their local areas? (3) How shall the partners promote and develop the youth activities once they return to their local areas?

Except for the congress itself, several activities were arranged for enriching the learning experience and enhancing the leadership skill of delegates, including visiting special school, watching football games, interviewing and writing reports and taking part in the unified sports activity.

Despite the tight meeting schedule, everyone is offered a chance to demonstrate their own talents and specialties at the farewell party. This congress enables each representative to have a deeper understanding of Special Olympics and enhance their skills on communication, creating a favorable condition for their future leadership in local areas and leaving each of them a profound impression and sweet memory.

SOEA Managing Director Anna Chan Speaking at the Congress

SO Globle Messanger Tam Wai Yip Delivering His Own Opinions

The Opening Ceremony of the Unified Competition

Unified Competition

Group Photo of the unified competition participants

SO Athlete Li Mingfeng interviewing a volunteer

Communicate after the interviews

Group photo of the representatives and East Asia staff