Laila Ali recently debuted as a member of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Her inaugural duties included recognizing the students of NEW Academy Canoga Park for being 2008 Governor’s Challenge Competition Los Angeles regional champions and participating with them on the Live Like a Champion physical fitness circuit featured at the event. Live Like a Champion is a statewide mobile outreach program presented by the Governor’s Council and Anthem Blue Cross. (PRNewsFoto/California Governor’s Council)

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ — World Champion athlete and health and fitness advocate Laila Ali recently made her debut as a member of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Her inaugural duties included speaking to the student body of NEW Academy Canoga Park, and urging them to continue leading active and healthy lifestyles.

Ali recognized the charter school’s students for being Los Angeles Regional champions of the 2008 Governor’s Challenge Competition. In return, the young fitness stewards presented Ali a gold medal for completing the Live Like a Champion physical fitness circuit featured at the event. Live Like a Champion is a statewide mobile outreach program presented by the Governor’s Council and Anthem Blue Cross.

Ali joins other legendary sports figures on the California Governor’s Council which was established by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger three years ago to combat the state’s soaring obesity epidemic. The Governor’s Challenge Competition and the Live Like a Champion Tour are key Council initiatives that support the Council’s goal to get Californians of all ages more active.

“I am thrilled to join the Governor’s Council and take on another role that lets me continue to promote healthier lifestyles,” said Laila Ali. “The Governor’s Challenge and The Live Like a Champion Tour are great fitness initiatives that are inspiring kids to get active. Today, thanks to The Governor’s Council, Longs Drugs and Anthem Blue Cross, more than 400 kids got rewarded for wanting to be fit. To have been part of that celebration is a real honor!”

In recognition of the students’ documented commitment to physical fitness, Ali presented NEW Academy Canoga Park $5,000 for physical fitness equipment and $1000 for school supplies. The monetary awards were made possible by Longs Drugs.

After the recognition ceremony Ali joined the students in sports-themed fitness activities featured on The Anthem Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour.

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

A non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity for all Californians with an emphasis on children and youth. Governor Schwarzenegger is the Honorary Chairman and Council members include Chairman Jake Steinfeld, Vice Chairman Peter Vidmar, and California sports legends such as Jerry Rice, Tony Hawk, Julie Foudy, Lisa Leslie and Misty May-Treanor. For more information visit http://www.CalGovCouncil.org.

Governor’s Council Key Initiatives include the Governor’s Challenge, the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards Presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, the Governor’s Council Activity Guide presented by Longs Drugs, the Live Like a Champion Tour powered by Anthem Blue Cross and Exercise as Medicine.

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