As part of the continuing sports diplomacy collaboration between the U.S. Embassy in Algiers and the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sports Envoys Trooper Johnson and Carlie Cook visited Algiers from February 1–5, 2016. In partnership with the Algerian Handisport Federation, Mr. Johnson and Ms. Cook held wheelchair basketball clinics and workshops for players and coaches at the Staoueli Sports Hall and Hotel El Mehdi.
Sports diplomacy uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together. Sports Envoys Johnson and Cook will participate in community outreach activities, engage youth in a dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for diversity, and learn about Algerian culture. Meanwhile, the program will provide Algerians with an opportunity to establish links with U.S. sports professionals.
Sports Envoys is a program managed by SportsUnited — a division of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) — in more than 100 countries, in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. sports federations, and professional leagues.
