The World Games 2021 Unveils Live Healthy, Play Global Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to serve as title sponsor; initiative to begin in Birmingham City Schools. 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The World Games 2021 and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama today kicked off the Live Healthy, Play Global program – a first-of-its-kind education initiative featuring relevant resources inspired by The World Games 2021.

The program, which was developed by a steering committee of educators and community partners, will be test-launched in Birmingham City Schools during the 2019-2020 academic year and will later be rolled out to include a wide range of schools across the state.

Speakers at the event, which was held at Glen Iris Elementary School, included Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin; DJ Mackovets, CEO of The World Games 2021 and Koko Mackin, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. The event also hosted over 250 elementary students, who had the opportunity to visit six Korfball stations, explore The World Games 2021 Experience delivered by Shipt and contribute to a project which will be displayed at The 2021 Games.

“We are proud to sponsor The World Games 2021 Education Program,” said Koko Mackin, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We are committed to helping programs that support health, wellness and education initiatives. This is an exceptional opportunity to partner with local schools to teach children life-long healthy habits at an early age.”

The goal of the Live Healthy, Play Global program is to support a physically active and globally minded Birmingham, ensuring that students engage in physical activity, see the importance of traditional sports values, and benefit from the enhancement of physical education and social studies curriculums inspired by The World Games 2021.

The program will provide students with the opportunity to play sports featured in The World Games 2021 through a partnership with the “Let’s Move” initiative. Initial sports will include Korfball, Floorball and Flying Disc. It will also provide classroom resources and activities that will connect The World Games 2021 with physical education, social studies and athletics, as well as provide professional development opportunities for educators.

“We’re thrilled to support our local schools by offering high-quality, exciting resources for students and educators,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of The World Games 2021. “Our goal in bringing The World Games 2021 to Birmingham has always been to improve the community through the event. We are certain that this initiative helps accomplish that mission.”

The World Games 2021 Birmingham will take place July 15-25, 2021, and will generate an estimated $256 million in economic impact for the city.

###

ABOUT THE WORLD GAMES 2021 BIRMINGHAM

The World Games 2021 Birmingham will be an extraordinary Olympic-style sports experience where elite athletes from all over the world compete for gold in 32 unique, multi-disciplinary sports. Featuring 3,400 athletes from more than 100 countries, the international event will unite global fans with the Birmingham community in 26 unique venues around the greater metropolitan area. The World Games 2021 Birmingham, which marks the 40th anniversary of the event, will take place from 15-25 July 2021 and will generate an estimated $256 million in economic impact. The World Games was established by the International World Games Association, an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee. For more information visit theworldgames2021.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

ABOUT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 83 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com. Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.