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March 31, 2005
Dear Athletes and Supporters of the Lithuanian Community,
We all strive to bring together people of Lithuanian heritage, because
being part of a group makes it easier and more fun to stay Lithuanian.
Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Israel, and some
other countries have been using sports to attract and keep the young
of their diaspora attached to their heritage. This year we'll do the
same!
From June 30 to July 3, Vilnius, Lithuania, will host the 7th World
Lithuanian Games (Pasaulio Lietuviu Sporto Zaidynes, PLSZ). The Games
are financially supported by Lithuania's Department of Physical
Culture and Sports and will be hosted by President Valdas Adamkus.
These Games are turning the spotlight on young Lithuanians outside
Lithuania, starting with boys and girls age 12 and up. But
participants of all ages and both genders are invited to compete in
sports that Lithuanians enjoy.
Dear Frends, how many Lithuanians Americans participate in the
Lithuanian Games depends to a large extent on you and on your clubs
and organizations. You know who is involved with sports in your
localities. Please inform them about the 2005 Lithuanian Games. Urge
and persuade them to participate. Point out to them that they will not
only have the excitement of competing in sports events but will also
make friends with athletes of their own age from Lithuania, tour the
country of their heritage, and attend many interesting events.
Lithuanian American participation in the Games is coordinated by the
2005 Lithuanian Games U.S. Committee of the Lithuanian Athletic Union
of North America (SALFASS). The Lithuanian American Community, Inc.
fully supports these efforts.
Let us all do whatever we can to send all our sports-minded young
people to the World Lithuanian Games in Vilnius this summer. Excited
by their interactions with the land and people of their heritage, our
World Lithuanian Games participants will add upon their return a wave
of energy to our Lithuanian American life.
Rimantas Dirvonis
Chair, SALFASS U.S. Committee
Vaiva Vebraitë
President of the Executive Committee
American Lithuanian Community, Inc.
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The 7th World Lithuanian Games, Vilnius, Lithuania, June 30 to July 3,
2005
1. Games organizers (in Lithuania) are inviting participation in
Basketball, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Tennis, Olympic Shooting,
Swimming, Golf, Bowling, Billiards, and Soccer. Competitions will be
conducted in men's and women's open classifications and in
classifications for boys and girls 12 years and older.
2. Participation of Lithuanian athletes from U.S. and Canada is
coordinated by the U.S. and Canada Committees of the Lithuanian
Athletic Union of North America (SALFASS) in cooperation with the
Lithuanian Community of each country.
3. The U.S. Committee is chaired by Rimantas Dirvonis, 20 Kane Court,
Willowbrook, IL 60527. Home: 630-789-0529, Office: 312-681-3947, Fax:
312-681-3895, Email:
rdirvonis@hotmail.com
4. Assistant Chair of the U.S. Committee is Lithuanian American
Community, Inc., Vice President for Sports Laurynas Misevicius, 218
Pastor's Walk, Monroe, CT 06468-1006. Home Phone and Fax:
203-452-5208, Mobile phone 203-895-7147, Email:
larrykaunas@yahoo.com
5. Parents are strongly urged to register their children ages 12 and
older as participants in the Lithuanian Games.
6. Officials and volunteers involved with Lithuanian sports activities
in the U.S. are urged to work for an impressive participation by
Lithuanian American athletes in the Games in Vilnius. (Games
organizers are expecting a great turnout by our sports clubs and
individual athletes).
7. The organizers in Vilnius will extend their world-renowned
Lithuanian hospitality to the visiting athletes by providing housing
and meals not only during the Games but also a day prior and a day
after, June 29 through July 4.
8. Organizers in Lithuania will offer visiting athletes many
opportunities to tour interesting sites and to get acquainted with
Lithuania's people and culture.
9. Initial registration for the Games should be submitted by Monday,
April 11, to the contacts listed in #3 and #4.
SALFASS U.S. Committee
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Lithuanian American Community
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Lithuanian American Community, Inc.
