Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Also joining the Mayor were Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra, Deputy Mayor Fran Reiter, Schools Chancellor Rudolph Crew, President of Health and Hospitals Corporation Dr. Luis Marcos, and Counsel to the Mayor Dennison Young.
"The Inner City Games will provide City children with an opportunity to build the self-confidence and self-esteem they need to lead better, more successful lives. It will also help them say 'no' to the negative pressures that surround them every day," said Mayor Giuliani. "During the games, these youngsters will learn about necessary values like teamwork, cooperation, trust and tolerance.
"Danny Hernandez, who founded the Inner City Games after the devastating Los Angeles Riots of 1991, believed that all kids are a lifetime investment--and I could not agree with him more," the Mayor continued. "By investing in New York City's children through these fantastic games, we can help them invest in themselves and in their futures by embracing hope, learning and life."
The Inner City Games were first conceived and implemented in 1991 in the City of Los Angeles by Mr. Daniel Hernandez, the Director of the Hollenbeck Youth Center. In 1993 the Inner City Games Foundation (ICG) was created to expand the program to cities nationwide to further promote a positive alternative to drugs, violence and gangs. This year the ICG expanded to bring the Games to New York City where they are co-chaired by Mayor Giuliani and native New Yorker, retired General Colin Powell.
"This great City has invested in you," said General Powell in a special message he wrote for the occasion. "I encourage you to invest in yourself and to realize your potential. Set your goals high and work hard to achieve them. Stay in school, commit yourself to completing your education, and never, never be tempted by drugs. Create for yourselves the positive future that can be yours and you will never regret it."
The Games will take place over the week of August 19 - 24 and will consist of competitions in various sports including basketball, swimming, volleyball, and roller hockey.