ROTARY SPORTS2

BASINGSTOKE MAYOR WITH ROTARY SPORT AWARDS FOR SPORT INSPIRATION

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BASINGSTOKE MAYOR WITH ROTARY SPORT AWARDS FOR SPORT INSPIRATION

The Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane, Cllr Colin Philimore who initiated a sports award program which was introduced during the Rotary Sport Family Festival of July, hosted the award winners at his parlour recently, where he formally presented the Award certificates to them, assisted by the President of Rotary Sport International, RiS Dr Tunde Adelakun.

The ceremony which was held on 12 July was a culmination of the nominations made by members of the public for excellence and inspiration, in a campaign fronted by Rotary Sport.

At the ceremony, Mayor Philimore extolled the good works of the awardees and the fact that many recognised them and deemed them fit for the awards, and praised the continued effort of Rotary Sport in their efforts to keep Basingstoke on the map and keep the sporting tradition going.

The awardees – David Graham, Secretary of the Basingstoke Chess Club – was nominated by a real handful of people, and reading some of the words of the nominees, Mayor Philimore said ‘David was not only a Club Secretary but also a stalwart figure in inspiring young chess players, some as young as 6-7 years old, to play and stay in the thought-invoking sport that needs a fair bit of reasoning and concentration’.

As for the second awardee, Tarik Bilgic, a coach in Jiu Jitsu, founder of the Urso Jiu Jitsu club, a martial arts sport which teaches the art of self defence and composure. Over 50 people voted for Tarik, some of whom said he was ‘consistent in hard work and dedication, has a huge effect on discipline, fundraising and philantrophy. A truly unsung hero who also helps the society, who does not accept praise or reward because he does what he loves, and loves what he does’.

Rotary Sport President Dr ‘Tunde, in his comments, stated that the Club was committed to doing the best it can to always celebrate sporting excellence. He thanked the Mayor and congratulated the awardees on the work they have done which made numerous people recognise and nominate them for the said awards.

“We are determined to make a habit of this, to continue to unearth hidden talent, unsung heroes and elite performers on a regular basis. Awards are good, they inspire others, and make the awardee feel wanted and appreciated. This will be a regular occurrence and many more sports stars will benefit from this in the coming months’, Dr ‘Tunde said.

Mayor Philimore and David Graham reminisced over the past, and expressed hope that the initiatives of Rotary Sport will start to reshape the future of Basingstoke town and make ‘our town a sporting town, as it used to be’.

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ROTARY SPORT AT DISTRICT 1145 DG INSTALLATION

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ROTARY SPORT AT DISTRICT 1145 DG INSTALLATION

The start of the new Rotary year is July, and every year, a new President is installed for each and every Rotary Club worldwide. Even Rotary International got a new President. It is tradition. Rotary Presidency is usually for one year, and new leaders step up and take office, in most cases.
 
It is the same with all of Rotary Club’s districts. Every year there is a district governor for each and every one of the 529 districts worldwide; and District 1145 South in the UK was no exception.
 
But this year, it was one with a difference as Rotary District 1145 installed Rotarian Olatunji (TJ) Olaleye as District Governor for 2025/26.  TJ is a dedicated Rotarian of many years’ standing, been involved with Rotary since the 1980s when he was at school in his native Nigeria. And he relocated, as an established medical practitioner in anaesthesia in the UK, combining Rotary duties with everyday work, and still found time to devote enough to the Club as to be chosen as District Governor of District 1145.
 
Rotarian TJ is the first black, first African Rotarian to assume the position of District Governor in 1145 and his celebration was in style. Very much an ‘African affair’, it had pomp, it had flair and our very own President, Dr ‘Tunde Adelakun, was there to witness it.
 
As Dr ‘Tunde said, ‘it is with pride that we have come to be represented at this event by me. Not only because TJ is an African, but because his district 1145 has shown genuine interest and commitment to the cause of what we are doing at Rotary Sport. TJ and I have spoken, and we will be setting up an arm of Rotary Sport in his district during his Governorship year, to reflect the enthusiasm of the people of the south of England towards sport and what it can do for society’.
 
Also on hand to honour TJ was Past District Governor Dr Wole Kukoyi, who mentored Rotarian TJ in Nigeria and was the first District Governor for the new District 9111 in Nigeria. His tenure ended in June 2025.
 
Our aim is to put ourselves about as much as possible, to show our desire to use the power of sport to connect people, and to build the family of Rotary, and to unite for the good of humanity.
 
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ROTARY SPORTS

ROTARY SPORT ROAD SHOW

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FESTIVAL OF SPORTS GETS TO BASINGSTOKE UK

One of the major objectives of Rotary Sport is to hold sports festivals in as many towns and countries around the world as is possible. We see such festivals, a gathering of all parts of the community/society to get together, freely play sport, exchange and engage, and encourage well-being amongst one another and inspiring same in the immediate community.

After a hugely successful Sports Festival held in Kigali, Rwanda late in June, it was the turn of Basingstoke, Hampshire in the UK – the official birthplace of Rotary Sport International – on July 12, where we had another hugely successful Family Festival of Sports.

Bringing the whole of the Basingstoke community together in the name of sports, the Festival of Sports was held on the grounds of Cranbourne School, on one of the hottest days so far in the country in 2025.

Luckily, Cranbourne School availed Rotary Sport of the use of the two massive indoor sports halls in the school and they were made to full use by the people who turned up.

 

The event was flagged off by the combination of the Basingstoke Member of Parliament, Luke Murphy, and the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane, Cllr Colin Philimore, who both, in separate addresses, expressed their satisfaction that sport is indeed taking a rightful centre stage position in the fabric of community, and acknowledged that the more we did of these, the more aware Basingstoke will be to the needs and benefits of sports on physical and mental wellbeing.

The Mayor and the MP got involved in the sports, as well as the President of Rotary Sport, Dr Tunde Adelakun, who took active part in the football, and the table tennis. 

The camaraderie of the family of Rotary that came out in support of the event was apparent, with Rotary Club of Basingstoke, represented by President Tim Jackson, Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane represented by Past President Mike Lakin and some members; as well as Assistant District Governor Richard Spalding, all of whom played active part in the sporting events.

There was basketball, chess and darts, and everyone took full part.

 

 Then there was a sports quiz, which involved every part of the crowd. They were broken up into groups and the quiz was intensely fought, with knowledge of past and present sports, Olympic sports, specific sports were all tested and had to be answered to. After three rounds, the team led by Annol Macdonald-Milner win the grand quiz prize, which was a pair of tickets to watch a home game of Basingstoke Town Football Club, of their choice. 

Egypt-based Annol, together with his father Philip, ended up going for the Basingstoke Town v Reading FC preseason friendly match of 26 July.

There was also a raffle, and after distribution of many consolation prizes including softball vouchers from the Basingstoke Sports Centre, t-shirts and bags, the star prize – a couple of tickets to Wembley for the Community Shield match of Liverpool v Crystal Palace – was drawn and won by Irina Rasolonjanahary.

Finally we had an awards ceremony where public-nominated sports persons were given inspiration awards by the Mayor Colin Philimore. They are Tarik Biglic, a coach in Jiu Jitsu, David Graham, secretary of the Basingstoke Chess Club, Billy Upton, captain of Basingstoke Town Football Club; and Jack Miller, Chairman of Basingstoke Town Football Club. Formal presentation of their awards will take place at the Mayor’s Parlour at a later date.

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RS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT ON THE MOVE

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ROTARY SPORT INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, DR ‘TUNDE ADELAKUN, WAS ON THE MOVE A
COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, ALL THE WAY IN KIGALI, RWANDA IN EAST AFRICA, ATTENDING A ROTARY
SPORTS FESTIVAL THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER JOINTLY BY ROTARY SPORT AND ASSISTED BY
OTHER LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS IN THE EAST AFRICAN CITY.

THE SPORTS FESTIVAL, WHICH WAS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF KIGALI RWANDA (ISKR)
WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, WITH PARTICIPANTS TAKING PART IN MANY SPORTS ON SHOW ON
THE GROUNDS.

HIGHLIGHTED BY THE PRESENCE OF SPECIAL GUESTS, UK HIGH COMMISSIONER TO RWANDA,
ALISON THORPE AND NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER IN RWANDA IBRAHIM ZANNA, EACH OF
WHOM GAVE A SHORT ADDRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT IN FOSTERING UNITY, THE AIM
WAS ALSO TO COLLECTIVELY JON HANDS AT RAISING FUNDS FOR A CANCER CHARITY IN KIGALI
WHICH WAS IN NEED OF AN UPLIFT IN ITS TRANSPORT SERVICES (TRANSPORTING NEEDY
CANCER PATIENTS FROM THEIR HOMES TO THE TREATMENT CENTRES WITH EASE).

RS INT’L PRESIDENT DR TUNDE ALSO SPOKE AT THE EVENT, HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR
SOCIETY TO EMBRACE SPORT, NOT JUST AS COMPETITION BUT AS A TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT
AND WELL-BEING, WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY REDUCE THE RISKS OF CATCHING DEBILITATING
DISEASES BY MAKING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES.

BRAND NEW ROTARY SPORT GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AND FORMER RWANDA NUMBER ONE
TENNIS STAR JOSELYN UMULISA GAVE A MOVING SPEECH, SHARING HER STORY ON HOW TENNIS
HELPED HEAL THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WOUNDS OF THE EFFECT OF THE RWANDA
GENOCIDE, THUS HIGHLIGHTING WHAT SPORTS CAN DO IN PEOPLE’S EVERYDAY LIVES.
A HUGE FLUX OF PEOPLE TOOK PART IN FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TENNIS COACHED BY
JOSELYN, PICKLEBALL, CRICKET AND FENCING.

A DAY OF GREAT FUN IN KIGALI, WHICH WILL BE REPLICATED IN BASINGSTOKE ENGLAND ON 12
JULY AT THE CRANBOURNE SCHOOL PREMISES.

DR TUNDE’S COMMENTS: “WHEN I VISIT THESE PLACES AND SEE THE SMILES THAT SPORT PUTS
ON FACES OF MANY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR ANY DIFFERENCES, IT
GIVES A HUGE SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND REKINDLES THE DESIRE TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE
ARE DOING BECAUSE THE RESULTS WILL BE THERE FOR ALL TO SEE IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT
FUTURE.

A diverse group of professionals engaging in a teamwork celebration with a fist bump over a wooden table indoors.

Partnership Announcement

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ROTARY SPORT INTERNATIONAL (BASINGSTOKE) IS PLEASED AT ANNOUNCE, WITH A

SENSE OF GRATITUDE AND HONOUR, A SPONSORED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE

BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY (BCoT)

FOR THE 2025 ROTARY SPORT FAMILY SPORT FESTIVAL, SCHEDULED TO HOLD ON 12

JULY 2025 ON THE GROUNDS OF CRANBOURNE SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE FROM 11:00AM

TO 4:00PM.

THIS PARTNERSHIP MEANS THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND REFERENCE TO OUR

EVENT, AND OUR POSTS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WILL BEAR THE TITLE “ROTARY

SPORT EVENT, SUPPORTED BY BCoT”.

PRESIDENT OF ROTARY SPORT, DR. ‘TUNDE ADELAKUN IN A SHORT STATEMENT SAYS

“OUR APPRECIATION GOES TO OUR HONORARY MEMBER, PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE,

ANTHONY BRAVO, OBE, WHO ALWAYS FINDS A WAY TO GO OVER AND BEYOND TO LEND

SUPPORT TO OUR CAUSE. THIS IS A GESTURE WE APPRECIATE AND DO NOT TAKE FOR

GRANTED. WE AIM TO WRITE A GOOD STORY FOR SPORT IN BASINGSTOKE, AND ARE IN

NO DOUBT THAT BCoT WILL BE A STRONG PART OF THAT POSITIVE STORY”.

FROM ANTHONY BRAVO, OBE, PRINCIPAL OF BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY:

“WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO PARTNER WITH ROTARY SPORT INTERNATIONAL FOR

THE 2025 FAMILY SPORT FESTIVAL. THIS EVENT PERFECTLY ALIGNS WITH BCoT’s

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTING HEALTHY, ACTIVE

LIFESTYLES. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF SPORT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND

WE’RE EXCITED TO SUPPORT AN INITIATIVE THAT PROMOTES COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND

ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION FOR ALL AGES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC DAY

OF FUN AT CRANBOURNE SCHOOL”.

COME AND SUPPORT THE ROTARY SPORT FAMILY FESTIVAL, SUPPORTED BY BCoT ON

THE 12TH. IT PROMISES TO BE FUN.

GET READY TO TAKE PART IN THE QUIZ, AND REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR NOMINATIONS

FOR THE MAYOR’S AWARDS.

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THE AMBASSADOR TEAM GROWS

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Rotary Sport International’s initiative at attracting high profile sports stars, past and present is yielding good result and we keep adding to that momentum with even more high profile stars as Global Ambassadors.

Very few people who follow international football will claim not to know the man with the highest number of international caps for England – a record that still holds till now. And by a man who has been described as one of the very best goalkeepers of all time – Peter Shilton.

Peter holds 125 international caps for England in a career that spans 31 years and saw him feature for 11 high end clubs in England in his time. Clubs that include Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Derby County among others.

RiS President Dr ‘Tunde said ‘this is a real coup. I watched some of Peter when growing up and I have total regard for him when I was young. To have approached him and have him say yes to the call to serve and be a part of the Rotary movement is an honour and a privilege and a massive addition to the Rotary ranks worldwide.

Leaving football, we have gone into the world of athletics. And have clicked with two Olympic Games medalists in the track and field discipline. Again, these two ladies have distinguished careers and have accepted to fly the flag of Rotary Sport and use their influence and experience to inspire sports growth, sports development and sports charity the world over.

Marilyn Okoro. Marilyn is a well decorated athlete who ran 400 and 800 metres in her career. Marilyn won medals at the World Athletics Championships, at the World Championships and in the European Championships as well as in the indoor circuit, as a member of Team Great Britain. She is also a bronze medalist at the Beijing Olympics of 2008.

She also has accepted to be a Rotary Sport ambassador and regards it as a thing of ‘excitement and pride’ that her exploits are so recognised as much as to be deemed worthy of being a of RS, a role she’s committed to and willing to know more of so she could put in her best.

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ROTARY SPORT AMBASSADOR INITIATIVE

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As part of the drive to make the newly chartered Rotary Sport truly inclusive and reflective of the objectives for which it was established, a new Ambassador initiative has been launched.

The aim is to get sports stars – past and present – stars who have, and are role models in their respective fields and disciplines to identify with the overall Rotary ideal and also the objectives of Rotary Sport. These sporting legends have agreed to be the face and the voice of Rotary Sport, leading the drive for getting the youth of the world back into sport, into doing selfless work through sport and enriching the society through sport.

As President of Rotary Sport, Dr Tunde Adelakun said, ‘we want to touch every sector of the community. And if we aim to to that successfully, it is important that we connect with people who can allow the wider society to be conscious of the fact that our objective and desire to help them cuts across all spheres and that even celebrities who do not have to, still care.

‘These are accomplished celebrities who have done well in their careers and who want to use their acquired status to inspire a bright future in our communities’.

Heading up the Ambassadors podium is Nigerian football international, and star player of English Premier League side, Fulham FC, Alex Iwobi.

As ‘Tunde said, ‘having worked with and followed the development of Alex as a young man who started his career in Arsenal and grown to become a very fine gentleman and a model of success and modesty in club and international circles in football, for me it was a no-brainer when we had to start picking ambassadors. Alex fitted in perfectly with what we are doing. And the great thing is – he shares our desire and our passion. One word to him about it and his answer was emphatically affirmative’.

Alex Iwobi is quoted as saying ‘I always like to do whatever I can to assist and support. And the Rotary Sport ideal is one that didn’t need to be sold to me much before I saw what it means. With the President’s involvement, it was virtually impossible for me to say no’.

The nation Rwanda is very well known for many reasons and there are quite a few sports stars from there. But we await their dominance in sport which is imminent. One of the few stars of Rwanda sports that has also been placed in the Ambassador position is former football international Jimmy Mulisa.

Of Jimmy, RiS President ‘Tunde had this to say ‘Jimmy is a stalwart in Rwanda sports folklore. He was part of what is so far the only golden age of Rwanda’s football when the national team braved all odds and qualified for the 2004 African Cup of Nations. Again he is someone I know very well and with our growing presence in that country, and in recognition of the level of enthusiasm with which Rotary Sport has been embraced in Rwanda, Jimmy was first on the list of those who wanted to identify with the cause’.

And Jimmy confirmed this sentiment stating that ‘it is a real honour and privilege to be Ambassador of this great Club and I am only too happy to contribute in my way to seeing positive growth in our sport and in the wider society’.