F.C. New York News Release -- www.fcnewyorksoccer.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
NEW YORK -- The opening of the 66th United Nations General Assembly brings news headlines to the world and as part of the opening was celebrating the 50th anniversary of USAID. USAID is the principal U.S. agency that extends assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty and engaging in democratic reform.
On Tuesday Doug Petersen and Jo-Ellen Treiber, the principals of F.C. New York, were invited guests to USAID’s conference titled “In the Arena - Sport as a Catalyst for International Development.” The event highlighted the game-changing, innovative ways sport is being used as a cross-cutting platform to accomplish development goals in the areas of health, nutrition, peace keeping, education and gender equality. Featured speakers included: Wilfried Lemke, Chairman of Werder Bremen-First Division of the German Bundesliga who also serves as the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace; Baseball legend Pedro Martinez; Basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo; and Johann Koss, Olympic Gold Medalist and the founder of “Right to Play.”
“It was great to see Bobby Duval of L’Athletique d’Haiti” Trieber said. “His dedication to the sport of soccer and the children of Haiti is outstanding. I am very proud of what our S.H.A.K.E. initiative has contributed to his program.”
As the only female owner of an outdoor professional soccer team, Ms. Treiber also enjoyed the company of some powerful women including Dr. Maura O’Neill, Chief Innovation Officer for USAID, and Mori Taheripour, USAID’s Senior Advisor; Sport for Development. The room was at capacity with representatives from FIFA, NBA, MLB and the IDB.
“It was a sports-packed room for all the right reasons” said Petersen, F.C. New York’s President. “Jeremy Schapp and Bob Ley of ESPN, Omar Minaya and Pedro; WOW!”