“Sport has the power to help develop the potential of individuals, communities and nations,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “On this International Day, let us pledge to strengthen the role that sport plays in communities around the world. We need to have everyone on the team.”
Mr. Ban described the role sport plays in encouraging personal growth, eliminating gender barriers and building bridges across lines that might otherwise divide. He added that sport helps to create cultures where fundamental values such as equality, the acceptance of rules, mutual respect and fairness are appreciated.
“It helps the more vulnerable groups in society, especially young people and persons with disabilities, to enjoy their human rights, including safe opportunities to engage in physical education programs and sporting activities,” he said. “This contributes to their inclusion in society and increases their motivation to attend school.”
He underlined the role that the sporting industry can play in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices and commended athletes across the world for supporting United Nations efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. He also looked ahead to the new development agenda, saying he would continue looking to sportsmen and women to be advocates for building a better world for all.
“Sport has established itself as an effective tool for development and peace building,” said Wilfried Lemke, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace. “As we are moving to a new set of sustainable development goals for the post-2015 development agenda, we have to make sure that sport keeps playing its beneficial role in it.”
Source-UN News Centre
Photo :Girls line up during a basketball drill in Mogadishu, Somalia. UN Photo/Tobin Jones
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