 Using sports to spread happiness
By Tan Yingzi (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-18 10:07 Two-time Chinese Olympian Gao Hong has come back to China with a new perspective on sport -- as a tool to foster the physical, social and emotional development of children and youth. The 40-year-old was once arguably the best female goalkeeper in the world, and is now promoting humanitarian work in China as chief representative of Right To Play, an international non-profit organization founded by former Olympic speed skating medalist Johann Koss. "I really love the idea of improving children's lives through playing sports, especially those in disadvantaged areas," Gao Hong told China Daily. "I think the idea is a gift for all the children and I should bring it to China." Right To Play has projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Last year it invited Gao to set up its China office. "We all believe that the Beijing Olympic Games will provide an opportunity for Right To Play to advocate its programs in China, because the organizers want to stage a People's Olympics and the country has begun to pay attention to mass sports participation," said the sports management graduate from Canada's York University. While studying in Toronto, Gao worked for the organization part time. After helping prepare the China branch, she was offered a full-time job as the chief representative. "But at first, I was worried about my abilities," she said. "Though I am familiar with China's sports system, I am not confident about my people skills and administrative abilities." Gao was well known for her open, straightforward manner as an athlete, but knows she needs more patience and communication to succeed again. She carefully chose Happy Healthy Children, a program which promotes fun, play and effective learning for chidren, aged 6-12, as a pilot project in China and has closely worked with the State General Administration of Sports. "I feel I am like a sales woman, lobbying local officials and persuading teachers to accept my idea," she said. "I have got seriously sick seven or eight times. Fortunately, many people have been touched by my passion." To date, this project has expanded to seven primary schools in Beijing and four in Tianjin. Gao also worked with Beijing Olympic sponsor Johnson & Johnson. During the Games, athletes will be encouraged to contribute items or participate in a live fund-raising auction hosted by Johnson & Johnson Pavilion in the Olympic Green to benefit Right To Play. The sponsor has established a medal grant program that will provide a financial contribution to the organization on behalf of every medal a Right To Play Athlete Ambassador wins at the Beijing Games. To help athletes learn first-hand experience in humanitarian work, Johnson & Johnson will underwrite five full-time fellowships with Right To Play. For three months, fellowship recipients will work in one of Right To Play's offices as well as with children in a disadvantaged part of the world. They will acquire valuable job skills that can help them throughout their post-competition careers, such as program management, fund-raising and communication. Passion for the football pitch Although she retired in 2004, Gao cannot leave the pitch behind. "Soccer is my heart and I am preparing to come back to it," she said. "When I settle down the business at Right To Play, I am going to become a soccer coach." Gao fell in love with soccer at 18 while working for a local factory in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. After the factory boss asked the sporty woman to join its soccer team, her talent was quickly spotted by the Shaanxi provincial team and, in turn, by the national team at 22. As a global powerhouse in the 1990s, the Chinese women's soccer team was nicknamed "Steel Roses" for their strong will and great achievements. Gao led China to a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games and to a runners-up finish at 1999 World Cup in the USA. Gao, together with six other Chinese teammates, was selected into the first ever Women's World Cup All-Star Team the same year. Even as Chinese people and media paid great attention to the team, Gao began to attend to more and more social activities off the pitch. But soon, she felt bored and exhausted. "At that time, I didn't know how to handle this situation or strike a balance between soccer and other things," she said. "So I decided to leave China when I got the offer from the Major League Soccer in the USA." She joined New York Power in 2001 and spent almost two seasons there. "It was the happiest time of my sports career," she said. "I loved their playing styles and club management. I really enjoyed playing with our fans and the community activities. That's what I think is the true function of sports." Gao complemented her onfield career by moving to Toronto in 2005 to study sports management. "I am not dreaming to become a coach of our national team now. I know I need more training and experience. "It takes time and I will not rush. I will do it step by step." (China Daily 07/18/2008 page16) |
