Harper Government Supports the Pan American Junior Men's and Junior Women's Water Polo Championships

MONTREAL, July 31, 2012 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), today announced the Government of Canada's contribution to Water Polo Canada in support of the Unión Americana de Natación (UANA) Pan American XVII Junior Men's and XI Junior Women's Water Polo Championships. The event will take place from August 9 to 18, 2012, in Montréal.

"Our Government is pleased to provide funding for the UANA Pan American Junior Men's and Junior Women's Water Polo Championships," said Minister of State Gosal. "We are committed to high-performance athlete development and we strive to provide opportunities for our young athletes to gain valuable international experience right here at home."

"Hosting international sport events not only gives our athletes the opportunity to compete against the world's best, but also brings a welcome boost to the local economy," said Minister Paradis. "I congratulate the organizers and volunteers, and I wish our athletes the best of luck in their pursuit of excellence."

The organizing committee expects to welcome eight men's teams and six women's teams from across the Americas to Montréal. This event is a qualification tournament for the FINA Junior Men's and Women's Water Polo Championships next summer. The top five men's team will earn a spot at the Junior Men's World Championships in Hungary, while the top four women's squads will qualify for the Junior Women's event.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from playground to podium. A contribution of $50,000 was provided to Water Polo Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program. Sport Canada's Sport Support Program is providing almost $3 million to Water Polo Canada for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

For more information (media only), please contact:

Jenny Van Alstyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
[email protected]

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)