POWER SOCCER IS STILL ROLLING…

It has been nearly two years since the Fernando Foundation invited 9 international Power Soccer delegations to the International Powerchair Football Association Summit in order that one universal set of laws be written for this dynamic game. It’s hard to believe how far we have come!

After taking the new laws of the game back to their home country, each team began preparing for the inaugural Powerchair Football World Cup – the first of its kind for powerchair athletes worldwide. In the meantime, an official organization was created to represent Powerchair Football internationally: The Federation de Internationale Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA). FIPFA is currently developing new strategies to launch more teams globally and unite those that already exist.

TEAM USA WINS THE POWERCHAIR FOOTBALL WORLD CUP!

The 2007 FIPFA World Cup in October was a great leap for this fast-paced sport, fueling even more exhilaration within the hearts of participants and spectators alike! The tournament brought 7 countries to Tokyo, Japan for the experience of a lifetime. With heated competition until the double overtime penalty kick shootout, the US national team fought long and hard to earn the title of World Champion. How rewarding for us all to see how Power Soccer has grown from a grassroots endeavor to an international movement!

TOURNAMENT SEASON BRINGS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS TO ATLANTA

This spring of 2008 brought 18 teams from the Southeastern US to Atlanta as the Fernando Foundation hosted the yearly Power Soccer Eastern Regional Tournament. Sparks flew as perpetual competitors Circle City Rollers and Atlanta Synergy battled it out in the championship game, with Atlanta proving to the best team in this region. The summer brought even more energy back to Atlanta as the Fernando Foundation hosted the 2008 Power Soccer National Tournament as well! 8 teams from the east and 8 teams from the west – both Division 1 and Division 2 – gathered to compete for the title of National Champion. Sudden Impact, of Indianapolis, and Turnstone Fantastic Flyers, of Fort Wayne took home the first place trophies. Congrats are deserved nationwide!

The Fernando Foundation continues to launch new teams yearly in the Southeastern US, and is consistently involved with FIPFA (the international federation of Power Soccer worldwide) participating in training and team launches in new countries each year. Fall of 2008 will bring them to Switzerland for a potential team launch and to Paris for the Champions League, the international championship of European Power Soccer clubs.

WANT TO PLAY?  VOLUNTEER?  WHAT DO YOU BELONG TO?

Whether across an ocean, or in your own neighborhood, Power Soccer wouldn’t exist without the power of our supporters behind it. If you are interested in joining or starting a Power Soccer team in your area, having the Atlanta Synergy team provide a teaching clinic or demonstration for your event, or receiving a DVD with more information about Power Soccer, please contact Kim Salewski at the Fernando Foundation at 770.622.2121 x246 or ksalewski@fernandofoundation.org. Additional information about United States Power Soccer is available at www.PowerSoccerUSA.net.

Ambassador High School Starts Its Third Year
With enrollment at nearly 2,000 children, the Ambassador High School is almost at full capacity with two sessions per day!

Ambassador High School has just begun its third school year and it has developed the reputation as a school where one can obtain a top notch education in all areas of study. The best teachers and administrators have been brought from near and far to impact students from all walks of life, including our own 200 Karuna orphans.

The 100 orphans which the Ambassador Fund has been supporting for 9 years have moved into their brand new home, and 100 more children from the slums of Mumbai are being added to their ranks now that the Orphan Hostel is finished. Funds are required to outfit the home with furniture fixtures. If you would like to help, please call Renee Merris at 770-622-2121 X 236.

UPS Funds Karuna's Vocational Training Program
Recently Karuna Sharan received a grant of USD 30,000 from UPS Asia for their new Vocational Training Program. The Program is one of eight NGO programs in 4 Asian countries that UPS supports. It is designed to provide children with a specific skill to enhance the quality education that they are receiving from the Ambassador High School and prepare them for employment. Present at the donation ceremony were Mr. Ong Mathew, Head HR-UPS Asia and Mr. Prijoshaw, MD -UPS, India.

Some of the training provided through this Program will include nutritional cooking, tailoring, stitching and embroidery for the girls, and electrical, plumbing and carpentry for the boys. Also included in the program will be a course for computer hardware repair. Upon course completion, the children will receive a Government Approved Certificate, which combined with their education, will provide them the winning combination to find employment in their chosen field. Training will begin April 2008, and continue for one year.

Sponsor a Karuna Orphan
Now you may sponsor a needy child on line! For as little as $35.00 a month you can change a life forever. Click Sponsor A Child on the left bar menu and find the child you would like to support. Pictures and bios are available for each of the children who are waiting for help.