Members of the HSFNA got together on May 28 at the Health Center of Long Island University in Brooklyn to introduce the Haitian Sports Foundation of North America, an organization willing to identify, develop and promote Haitian Sports in Haiti and the Diaspora. Gathering members from various sports disciplines including Football, Karate, Judo, tae Kwon Do, Tennis and so on, this organization is dedicated to get financial resources to provide assistance to needed and talented Haitian athletes. It will work with colleagues and different institutions in Haiti like the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Haitian Olympic Committee and federations

Other key speakers who shared their experiences, advice and support were the legendary athlete of the century Emmanuel (Manno) Sanon, the man who spectacularly scored against Italy and Argentina in the 1974's World Cup, thus making Haitians proud for more than three decades; professor Wisler Jacques, Dr. Jude Innocent, activist Jocelyn Mayas, M. Carmelle Houache, journalists Raymond Jean-Louis and Mervil Guillaumet. "We must be strongly organized to place Haiti once and for all at the forefront of the World's most popular sports and support Haiti's talented athletes," Sanon said.

Furthermore, the symposium's organizer Turnier Esperance, and journalist Raymond Jean-Louis emphasized on the importance of supporting our own athletes instead of promoting unreasonably foreign athletes and spreading as well negativities within our media. "I feel disgusted and mad when I hear Haitians calling themselves Brazilians, Argentins while they are rejecting their own superstars," Raymond said recalling a sad story about Manno Sanon being humiliated years ago and stopped from leaving Port-au-Prince Airport to play a game for Haiti in Panama. But history seems to be repeating itself because Haitian athletes are still facing humiliation and financial burdens abroad like one case in Aruba and most recently in Surinam where the Haitian National Women Team defeated Surinam 3 - 0 despite all.

According to Turnier Esperance and the distinguished speakers, "this is the kind of problems we vow to challenge and overcome." The audience composed mostly of members, volunteers and several professionals such as Jean Claude Maurice, Nathalie Philippe, Tara Arthur, Jean Bonté, Patrick Dorsainvil, Enock Lercius, Marc Joachim, Daniel Gaspar, Dr. Marie-Carmelle Pierre-Louis, Dr. Jude Innocent, Edouard Metellus, Ernst Gaston, Georgette Faucher, Frantz Dabel, Carlo Duval, Edner Aura, Fritzner Pierre welcomed the idea with great enthousiasm. They brought their supports and suggestions on how this organization should seek financial resources by getting more members, sponsorships, cultural events and other means of funding.

Many Haitians living in Haiti and the Diaspora are making tremendous efforts to bring Haiti on the international scene with pride and dignity. Our athletes are already devoted to show their courages and expertises. In early May, the Haitian national soccer team composed of youngters of less than 21 years of age defeated Dominica 5 - 0 and Trinidad 3 - 1 in the final phase of the Caribbean Championship. This is to demonstrate how far our young athletes are willing to go. They just need to be morally and financially supported.

Therefore, the Haitian Sports Foundation of North America has stepped in toward consolidating the bridge between our talented athletes and the promising future of Sports in Haiti and the diaspora.

The Legendary Athlete Manno Sanon speaking on the importance of supporting Haitian athletes worldwide.

Mr. Henry Robert Abellard, President of the National Federation of Karate

Mrs. Gally Amazan, Haitian Olympic Committee Advisor

Jean Bonté, Vice-Pres. Mercy For The Children, devoted to support 14 Haitian Soccer Teams in Carrefour.

Turnier Espérance, sport conference's organizer.

Journalist and sport broadcaster Raymond Jean-Louis.

Members and Supporters of the Haitian Sports Foundation of North America.

devoted to support sports in Haiti.

Among the guests' speakers attending this meeting were Mrs. Gally Amazan: Haitian Olympic Committee Advisor, who gave a detailed description of the situation of sports in Haiti, Mr. Henri Robert Abellard: President of the National Federation of Karate in Haiti who presented a promising picture of Karate in Haiti.