Hans van Haute Fund

Hans van Haute Fund

Announcement
Hans Van Haute Scholarship 2025 Awardee

The International Olympic Academy Participants Association (IOAPA) proudly announces Ms. Dinkey Bandara from Sri Lanka as the recipient of the Hans Van Haute Scholarship 2025.

Ms. Bandara's exceptional contributions to the Olympic Movement include her roles as IOAPA Country Coordinator for Sri Lanka, facilitator at National Olympic Academy sessions, and active participant in the Olympic Values Education Programme. Through her academic expertise, leadership, and volunteer work, she has tirelessly promoted Olympism and its values of inclusivity, excellence, and respect.

Congratulations to Ms. Dinkey Bandara on this well-deserved honor!

The International Olympic Academy Participants Association (IOAPA) is delighted to announce Mr. Joseph Oluka from Uganda as the recipient of the Hans Van Haute Scholarship 2025.

Mr. Oluka has made remarkable contributions to the Olympic Movement through his work in developing and implementing sports-for-development projects. As a coordinator for the Uganda Olympic Committee, he has successfully led initiatives such as the Olympic Values Education Programme, fostering the principles of Olympism and empowering communities through sport.

Congratulations to Mr. Joseph Oluka on this well-deserved recognition!

Purpose of the Fund

Created in Hans’ memory, the purpose of this fund is to aid those former IOA participants, coordinators, or lecturers who would like to attend an IOAPA session but cannot do so due to lack of financial resources.

Application - closed for 2025

Criteria

Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be active IOAPA members
  • Show dedication to the Olympic ideals and values
  • Have a track record of contributing to the Olympic Movement, sports education, or related initiatives
  • Be available to attend the IOAPA Session 2025 in person in Olympia, Greece

Donations

Please consider making a donation to this fund! All donations, great or small, are appreciated.

During the IOAPA Session, participants are offered two ways to contribute to the fund:

  1. During the registration process, participants can add a monetary contribution;
  2. We also organise a silent auction during one of the social nights. Participants can bring items to be sold during the auction. Here are some ideas for items to bring:
    • Olympic, Paralympic or other Sporting Major Event items (pins, gear, books, etc.);
    • Specialty from your country (something to eat or drink, something handmade, something traditionally made in your country, etc.);
    • Anything else you think would be appreciated from participants.

The proceeds go toward the fund. If items don't sell, you can decide to bring them back home or give them away.

More about Hans van Haute

HANS VAN HAUTE FUND

The Hans van Haute Scholarship Fund, established during the 2001 IOAPA session, was named in honour of the main force behind the creation of our Association. Hans was an IOA participant from Belgium in 1985; however, he died in 1991 but had the opportunity to attend the inaugural IOAPA session in 1989 despite his illness (cancer).

During the 1985 Young Participants Session, Hans van Haute from Belgium was inspired and encouraged by the President of the Academy, Professor Nissiotis, to organize an alumni association of the IOA. On his own initiative, Hans wrote, and mailed a newsletter to all the 1985 participants to keep the spirit alive.

Upon the urging of Yiannis Zoumpoulis (GRE), Professor Nissiotis also put the same thought into the heads of 1986 IOA participants Laurel Brassey Iversen (USA), Ingolfur Hannesson (ISL) and others during a meeting in his office. He promised the IOA facilities free of charge for an IOA alumni meeting.

Shortly after the 1986 session Hannesson also began publishing a newsletter for the participants. Eventually van Haute and Hannesson were connected and coordinated their efforts. Almost immediately following the 1987 session, Paul Baldacchino (MLT), joined forces with Ingolfur and Hans and the three became the driving force behind a reunion in Olympia.

In March 1988 Hannesson and Zoumpoulis met in Athens with IOC member, Mr. Nikos Filaretos, who was also the IOA President following the death of Professor Nissiotis. With Zoumpoulis leading the way in Athens, the final plans for a reunion in 1989 rapidly took shape. Invaluable support came when Mr. Filaretos sent a formal letter on 27 March 1989 informing all NOCs and NOAs around the world about the upcoming meeting and value of such an endeavor to the Olympic Movement.

Recognizing Hans van Haute's dedication to the birth of the IOAPA there was a strong movement at that first conference to make him the organization's first president. But Hans refused all these attempts. Not long after the conference everyone learned that Hans was suffering from cancer. On 13 June 1991, just weeks before the second alumni conference, crushing news came that Hans had lost his battle with cancer.

In 1993 during the IOAPA Session, a tree was planted in memory of Hans van Haute behind the Old Lecture Hall. The first tree survived only a few years and a second tree was planted which thrives there today. The IOAPA also developed the Hans van Haute Scholarship to help participants in need attend the session. The report of each session is sent to Hans' wife, Lieve Bague-De Keersmaecker.

During its short existence, the fund has been able to offer assistance to several participants over the past decade.

-Elizabeth Hanley, Hans van Haute Scholarship Fund Chair 2011-2023

Hans van Haute Scholarship Recipients

For further information about the fund, please contact Anidev Singh, Committee Chair.