<p>Alkmaar in The Netherlands is not the most famous city in the world but Mirjam Hanberg hopes to change all of that come 2015. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Hanberg, the vice-mayor of the Dutch town, is overseeing its preparations for the 49th edition of the International Children’s Games (ICG) and is in Bangalore to support the initiatives of the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation (BSSF) in its attempt bid to host the 2016 ICG in Bangalore. <br /><br />The ICG, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been a flourishing international movement fostering friendship between competitors since its inaugural edition in 1968 in Celia, Slovenia.<br /><br />Coming from a sporting background herself — she has been an athlete, gymnast and a tennis player while her father Ben Hanberg played the Wimbledon qualifiers in the 1960s — Hanberg used all her knowledge and enthusiasm to bring the ICG to her city. <br /><br />“I had a hard time convincing my own colleagues to support my idea. Initially, they didn’t come on board and it was only after some of the businessmen came forward to lend a helping hand that we gained more strength,’’ Hanberg added.<br /><br />Throw in a bit of history to Alkmaar’s winning ICG bid for 2015 after fighting off competition from New Taipei, Mexico City and Jerusalem, Hanberg’s efforts become all the more creditable. <br /><br />“When we host the ICG for the first time ever in The Netherlands, it will mark 70 years since our country was liberated from Canada and what has made it extra special is the fact that we won the bid last year in the Canadian city of Windsor,’’ said a beaming Hanberg. <br /><br />In India for the first time, Hanberg emphasised the pride and prestige associated with organising the ICG and the multiple benefits the country can accrue from the hosting. <br />“A huge country like India where there is so much of talent deserves to host an event like this and the young athletes could learn so much in terms of exposure and training methodologies,’’ she explained. </p>
<p>Alkmaar in The Netherlands is not the most famous city in the world but Mirjam Hanberg hopes to change all of that come 2015. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Hanberg, the vice-mayor of the Dutch town, is overseeing its preparations for the 49th edition of the International Children’s Games (ICG) and is in Bangalore to support the initiatives of the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation (BSSF) in its attempt bid to host the 2016 ICG in Bangalore. <br /><br />The ICG, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been a flourishing international movement fostering friendship between competitors since its inaugural edition in 1968 in Celia, Slovenia.<br /><br />Coming from a sporting background herself — she has been an athlete, gymnast and a tennis player while her father Ben Hanberg played the Wimbledon qualifiers in the 1960s — Hanberg used all her knowledge and enthusiasm to bring the ICG to her city. <br /><br />“I had a hard time convincing my own colleagues to support my idea. Initially, they didn’t come on board and it was only after some of the businessmen came forward to lend a helping hand that we gained more strength,’’ Hanberg added.<br /><br />Throw in a bit of history to Alkmaar’s winning ICG bid for 2015 after fighting off competition from New Taipei, Mexico City and Jerusalem, Hanberg’s efforts become all the more creditable. <br /><br />“When we host the ICG for the first time ever in The Netherlands, it will mark 70 years since our country was liberated from Canada and what has made it extra special is the fact that we won the bid last year in the Canadian city of Windsor,’’ said a beaming Hanberg. <br /><br />In India for the first time, Hanberg emphasised the pride and prestige associated with organising the ICG and the multiple benefits the country can accrue from the hosting. <br />“A huge country like India where there is so much of talent deserves to host an event like this and the young athletes could learn so much in terms of exposure and training methodologies,’’ she explained. </p>
