Press Conference
Contacts: Marisa Arellano, Arvizu Public Relations, 602-279-4669, marellano@arvizu.com
Deanne Poulos, Press Secretary/Communications Manager, Maricopa County (602) 525-3211, poulosd@mail.maricopa.gov
ARIZONA-MEXICO COMMISSION , FULTON HOMES GRAND CANYON STATE GAMES
AND PHOENIX UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
WELCOME TEEN ATHLETES AND FRIENDSHIP CUP
PART OF ARIZONA-MEXICO COMMISSION SUMMER PLENARY SESSION
Press Conference Details:
Date: Friday, June 20, 2008
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Carl Hayden High School Auditorium
3333 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Media Parking: Auditorium West parking lot (entrance is 1 block South of Roosevelt Street on 35th Avenue)
Spokespersons:
The Honorable Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor
Mr. Erik Widmark, Executive Director, Grand Canyon State Games
Mr. Carlos Rodriquez, Arizona-Mexico Commission member
Attendees:
Carlos Flores Vizcarra, Mexican Cónsul
David Lujan, AZ House of Representatives & Phoenix Union High School District Board Member
Athletic Interviews: Several state and national teen title holders that will be competing and will be available for photos and interviews
June 18, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ - The Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC)/Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games will kick off their International Summer Games on June 20th. 2008 marks the 15th year for this multi-sport Olympic festival. Over 6,000 amateur athletes from throughout Arizona will compete in 33 sports including boxing, baseball, basketball, soccer and gymnastics to name a few. For the second consecutive year, over 75 teen athletes will have traveled from the Mexican border state of Sonora to compete in various sporting venues throughout the weekend. Carl Hayden High School, a Mecca sports center of the Phoenix Union High School District, generously is hosting the games again this year.
The games are just one portion of the AMC bi-annual plenary session. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and The Governor of Sonora, Mexico, Eduardo Bours, share support for the AMC’s mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the residents of Arizona through a strong cooperative relationship with Mexico and Latin America through advocacy, trade, networking and information.
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, who is Co-Chairman of the Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) Sports Committee, stated, “As a member of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, we are delighted to continue seeing such outstanding athletes from Sonora compete with our own athletes from throughout our great state. Fostering affirmative relations with our neighbors from Sonora and encouraging our youth, on both sides of the border, to compete at their highest level fulfills the goal of the Arizona-Mexico Commission.”
Erik Widmar, Executive Director of The Fulton Homes Grand Canyon State Games expressed his excitement about this year’s games by saying, “During this Olympic year, it is especially appropriate to continue our "friendship partnership” with the AMC. We believe that sporting competition, in the spirit of the Olympics, bridges all gaps”.
Mike Sanchez, President of USA Boxing Association in Arizona, stated, “During the last two years, we have seen many talented boxers compete during these International Games and we are looking forward to seeing how previous winners will defend their championship against a new group of challengers.”
Another major highlight to this year’s games is the traditional exchange of the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s “Friendship Cup.” Carlos Rodriguez, Mexican Co-Chair of the AMC Sports Committee, will present the symbolic trophy from the Hermosillo delegation to the Phoenix delegation. This is especially noteworthy given that Hermosillo is a “sister city” to Phoenix. This will be the fourth exchange of the cup, as it transfers back and forth between Arizona and Mexico, representing the continued partnership between the neighboring countries in promoting amateur sporting competition among our youth.
For a complete schedule and venue locations of the 4-day competition, please go to www.gcsg.org.
For more information about the AMC and the plenary session this weekend, please go to www.azmc.org.