Since the inception of the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) in 2003, Arturo Cevallos has been working in Mexico to bring the IAYS’ Game On! Youth Sports program to children in his country. After three successful years, Cevallos and IAYS are ready to expand the program across Latin America.

“There has never before been a program like Game On! Youth Sports,” Cevallos said. “It’s had a great impact.”

This was the precise reason for Cevallos’ recent visit to the IAYS’ international headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla. Cevallos and other IAYS representatives shared their knowledge of Latin America, and discussed the development of a plan on how to spread Game On! throughout the region.

“The future goal is specifically to launch training programs for the youth sports administrators and the youth sport coaches to get a more academic basis,” Cevallos said, “to apply the program for more kids in Mexico, and also to involve different states.”

In fact, Cevallos’ goal is to reach more than 2,000 children in 2007. During the meeting at headquarters, plans were also made to hold the first ever Game On! Youth Sports Summit in Latin America.

Additionally, Cevallos and the IAYS are also working on translating all of the Game On! Youth Sports materials to Spanish.

Cevallos, a father and athlete, said he understands firsthand the importance of offering programs like Game On! Youth Sports to youngsters. “Sports are about life, life is about sports, and we will have more kids playing and enjoying the value of sports worldwide,” he said.

IAYS enjoys these regular visits from its regional representatives, which gives the staff the chance to share thoughts and plans for the future of IAYS in those regions. On this trip, Cevallos, who has already had great success in Mexico with IAYS, was eager to outline the game plan for Game On! Latin America. Cevallos said he has no doubt that the success in Mexico can be replicated across Latin America.

“The kids are having fun with the sport and they are making new friends, which for me is a key part of the program,” he said.