WE, SPORT AND PEACE…
“Peace and love” is a well-known expression among musicians and other arts lovers.
In sport, this slogan is echoed by our brave athletes who, directly or indirectly, pass on messages of peace through the celebration of outstanding performances or the acceptance of defeat in fair play during major sports events.
The amazing gestures and attitudes of our athletes, champions of peace, will irradiate the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in a few months.
We will admire these elite sportsmen and women, who will transcend all kinds of divisions and tell the whole world that Peace comes through Sport and Sport comes through Peace.
“Peace and Love” has been transformed into “Peace and Sport” through an eponymous organisation which, since 2007, has been promoting sport as a tool for building more inclusive and peaceful societies.
For many, if not all athletes, sport is a school of life. Through sport, we pass on many values that contribute to peace-building.
All 54 African NOCs have a key role to play in promoting a peace-loving Africa through the power of sport.
On 6 April 2024, which marks the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, ANOCA underscores its global message of constantly disseminating Olympic values aimed at fostering equality, inclusion and mutual understanding.
Development through social change builds on solidarity, that is “WE” and the strategic tool, which is “SPORT”, to achieve the ultimate goal of “PEACE”.
WE, SPORT AND PEACE, is a powerful lever for overcoming many crises that threaten peace and stability in Africa.
It is a strategy that anticipates potential conflicts, eases tensions and contributes to conflict resolution by bringing together people from all over the world in a united front for a better world.
Indeed, sport is becoming a catalyst for promoting a democratic society, inclusion, fraternity and social cohesion.
Sport is synonymous with youth education and empowerment, inculcating in them strong values of humility, dialogue, tolerance, sharing, solidarity and love.
Our goal must be to improve the quality of life in Africa, put an end to suffering and establish sports governance that enhances development. We will achieve it by working together. Let’s harness our efforts for peace.
Sport is much more than just winning or losing a competition. Sport has an incredible power that we must take advantage of for our welfare, prosperity and living together.
The global theme of this year’s Day is “Sport for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies”, in other words, let’s overcome our differences, because WE, SPORT AND PEACE, have the power to bring peace to Africa and the world.
