SPIRIT The Erasmus Plus funding project organizes the international SPIRIT event to be held from September 11 to 15, 2023 at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. North Sumatra University (USU) participated in this opportunity.

This activity, which carries the theme “Inspiring inclusion in sport: success stories, practical skills and management strategies”, opens an overview of the development of sport with one of the keywords “inclusion”. Inclusion words (inclusion), this means including all levels of society with various limitations, including women with disabilities, and various gender differences.

The event, which lasted five days, brought together 11 universities from Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, partners of the SPIRIT project funded by Erasmus Plus of the European Union.

According to the USU coordinator of the SPIRIT project, Prof. Dr. Dr. Dina Keumala Sari, M Gizi, Sp GK (K), from the Faculty of Medicine, the host of the activity was the University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. , with the activity center of the Faculdade de Montricidade Humana, and coordinated by Ana Pipio.

“This event opens to all participants an insight into how to develop sports with the inclusion of the keyword, in all forms of sports activities, especially physical improvement,” said Professor Dina, Monday (9/18/23).

He added that along with increased physical activity, good nutrition is the key to preventing non-communicable diseases in the future. The inclusion of various groups, including people with disabilities, is therefore very important.

“This activity is also fully supported by USU Chancellor Prof. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos, M.Sc, who is providing various amenities and comprehensive facilities to develop this SPIRIT project, including the development of the Fitness Center fitness and gym USU SPIRIT Club at USU.,” he explained.

The presentation session on the theme of inclusions in high performance sport was moderated by coach Ivo Quendera and medal-winning athlete at the International Paralympic Championships, Norberto Mourao. The presentation focused on success stories and various paths to success which opened the perspectives of all participants, including the participants of the USU SPIRIT Club, namely Dessy Ramasari (Faculty of Dentistry), Risris Salmah Andrian (Faculty of Cultural Sciences) and Fiora Patricia Ginting (Faculty of Dentistry). of economics and commerce).

Besides the presentation of the participation, on the last day the students also had the opportunity to present all the messages, impressions and activities during this international event. There was also an event, namely “students’ special time”.

“This activity is a special activity for students to show their understanding of the SPIRIT project. All participants carried out various other practical activities such as korfball games, traditional sports and regional games, which were played together to develop the sport in order to prevent non-communicable diseases, with young people as agents of change”, he concluded.

In the future, USU should also be able to provide the best possible action within these changes. SPIRIT project activities will continue until the middle of next year and it is hoped that dissemination will continue.