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UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY, " America's Sport University "

ACADEMY HONORS PRESIDENT OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S NEWEST NATIONS

DAPHNE, Ala. – The United States Sports Academy has announced that East Timor President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, leader of the world’s newest country, will travel to the United States to receive the Academy’s International Honorary Doctorate on 19 January at 10 a.m.

The Academy and East Timor are developing plans to implement national sports programs in that country.

A former political prisoner during Indonesian occupation of his homeland, Gusmão has served as President since 2002. He was a key figure in the former Portuguese colony’s 30-year struggle for independence from Indonesia.

Gusmão was born to school-teacher parents in Manaututo in what was then Portuguese Timor, and attended a Jesuit high school just outside of Dili. After leaving high-school at the age of sixteen, he worked a variety of jobs, although he continued his education at an evening college.

In 1966, Gusmão obtained a position with the public service, which allowed him to continue his education. This was interrupted in 1968 when Gusmão was recruited in the Portuguese army for national service. He served for three years, rising to the rank of corporal.

Gusmão became involved in East Timor’s struggle in 1971, after serving five years in the Portuguese Army. He joined a series of peaceful protests against the colonization of what was then known as Portuguese Timor. Independence was granted three years later, but the formation of a new nation was interrupted by internal struggles and the intervention of nearby Indonesia.

Gusmão publicized the violence and struggles with Indonesia, frequently being interviewed by the worldwide media. The attention he received led to his imprisonment by the Indonesian government, but he directed the independence movement from prison. This led to a successful referendum for independence being passed in August of 1999, which caused more clashes with Indonesia.

Pressure from the United Nations, the United States and Australia, in addition to an Australian-led peacekeeping force prompted Gusmão’s release from prison and prompted the beginning of the stabilization process which laid the grounds for East Timor’s sovereignty. The country has now enjoyed nearly five years of independence after 450 years of foreign occupation.

East Timor’s constitution took effect when the territory officially became independent in May 2002. East Timor features a democratic republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. All citizens 18 and older have the right to vote.

The United NationsOffice of Sport for Development and Peace, East Timor and the Academy recognize the value of sport in the development of a peaceful nation. Sport can contribute to economic and social development and it can improve health and personal growth in people of all ages. Sport can also help build a culture of peace and tolerance by bringing people together on common ground, crossing boundaries to promote understanding and mutual respect.

The Academy is working with the United Nations in the development of sports programs for this young democracy, which is about 200 miles from the northern coast of Australia.

Past recipients of the international honorary doctorate include the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Royal Highness Salman bi Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Governor of the Sport Authority of Thailand Santiparb Tejavanija and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

For over 30 years, the Academy has delivered sports programs in more than 60 countries around the world.

The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.

For more information about the United States Sports Academy, “America’s Sports University,” call 251-626-3303 or visit the Academy’s website www.ussa.edu.