Yes, sport is good for your health and all… but it can be and is much more than that. When harnessed, it can be used as a powerful tool to build better and more sustainable communities. In that effort, as we just celebrated together the ‘International Day of Sport’ and as the global theme states, let us dive into the various ways in which sport can be leveraged for “The Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies’.

We are all aware that sport has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together and there are multiple ways that it can be done.

OPEN FIELD

Sports does not discriminate. Regardless of your background, it provides a platform for indivuals to come together, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. Proudly wearing your colors and representing your country strengthen the foundations of sustainable progress.

Engaging youth in sports programs not only promotes physical health but also instills important values such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership. By providing constructive outlets for energy and building self-esteem, sports can steer young people away from violence and crime, contributing to safer communities. Creating programs and community events can prove to become astounding instruments of progress.

In accordance with President Macron's commitments during the New Africa-France Summit in October 2021, a 3-year program was launched to support African sports academies. The program aims to develop efficient and inclusive educational and teaching sectors, create professional opportunities for young people, especially young girls, and promote gender equality and societal values. A new stage of the program was launched in March, with 13 new academies selected to benefit from expertise and support on four key axes: equality between women and men, education, economic model sustainability, and child protection. FIFA being a technical partner on the program, providing additional expertise on child protection. The 13 selected structures include various sports such as circus arts, skateboarding, tennis, football, athletics, basketball, and judo, from countries across the African continent. Other commercial partnerships and alliances with global markets has brought in substantive capital for African economies.

HIGHLIGHTS

Let's kick off with some thrilling highlights from the incredible journey of African athletes in 2023! Here are a few standouts that left us cheering for more!

• South Africa's men's rugby team, the "Springboks," won the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time, making history.

• Three African teams - Angola, Cameroon, and Senegal - progressed to the main round of the 2023 Women's Handball World Cup, signaling progress in the sport.

• Despite not reaching the quarterfinals, South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco performed well at the 2023 Women's Football World Cup.

• African athletes excelled in track and field events, setting new records and winning gold medals.

• Major upcoming events include the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and the African Games in Accra, Ghana, serving as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• After running previous 11 editions as the All-Africa Games, the now-called “African Games” have historically produced champions who excel at global competitions, such as swimmer Chad Le Clos and track star Françoise Mbango Etone. It was aim to use sports for national and continental development, aligning with Ghana's transformative agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063, "Africa We Want."

• Africa will be represented at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, with athletes aiming to replicate previous successes.

• The 2024 African Men’s Handball Championship and the World Weightlifting Championships in Bahrain will also showcase all talents from the continent.

RED CARD

Sporting activities can serve as a neutral ground where people can engage in constructive dialogue and resolve conflicts peacefully. Initiatives such as sports tournaments or leagues involving communities with historical tensions can facilitate communication and understanding, potentially reducing conflicts.

Here are 3 instances where Sporting events helped reduce conflicts and played significant roles in fostering communication between opposing countries :

1. Football Diplomacy between Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso: In 2002, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso were on the brink of war due to a border dispute. However, a football match between the national teams of both countries served as a catalyst for reconciliation. The match, dubbed the "Match of Peace," helped ease tensions and paved the way for diplomatic negotiations, ultimately preventing a full-scale conflict.

2. Rugby Matches between South Africa and New Zealand: During the apartheid era, South Africa faced international isolation in sports, including rugby. However, in 1995, when South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup, the event provided an opportunity for reconciliation and communication. South Africa's victory in the tournament, particularly in the final against New Zealand, a country with a history of sporting rivalry, helped unite the nation and symbolized the end of apartheid divisions.

3. Basketball Diplomacy between Sudan and South Sudan: In 2012, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, but tensions between the two nations persisted, particularly over border disputes and oil revenue sharing. However, a basketball match between the national teams of Sudan and South Sudan served as a gesture of goodwill and facilitated communication between the two countries. The match, organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), helped promote reconciliation and build bridges between the neighboring nations.

 THE LOCKER ROOMS

Sporting events and facilities can serve as catalysts for community development. Building sports infrastructure, such as stadiums or playgrounds, not only provides spaces for recreation but also stimulates local economies, creating jobs and fostering social cohesion. Arenas such as Kigali arena have turned their host countries into Epicenters for sports fan from all over the world and shows how sports can be used as a powerful catalyst for change.

Here are a few events that the country hosted lately :

-        The Tour du Rwanda 2022, Cricket T20 tournaments, Africa Tae Kwondo Championhips and Basketball Africa League (the BAL) were among major sporting events that Rwanda hosted in 2022, attracting thousands of people from across the globe to either participate on witness.

-        In 2023, they had FIFA Congress in Kigali, during which the member associations will hold elections for FIFA president, leading the agenda.

-        The 15th edition of the “Tour du Rwanda” in February 2023 has been the biggest annual event on the Rwanda sporting calendar since 1988 attracting rider across the globe.

-        The BAL tournament that kicked off in March will come to Kigali in May to compete in the single elimination playoff and the finals the BK Arena.

-        After a successful men's Afrobasket in 2021, Rwanda was given rights to host the Afrobasket women 2023 that is due to take place from July 28 to August 6 in Kigali. The Women's Afrobasket tournament is a continental championship contested by the women's national teams of Africa, held once every two years under the auspices of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The competition brings together 12 teams from different African countries to compete.

FAIR PLAY

Sport can challenge gender stereotypes and promote gender equality by providing girls and women with opportunities for participation and leadership. Programs that encourage female involvement in traditionally male-dominated sports can empower women and girls, leading to more inclusive societies.

In 2023, Speak Up Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have teamed up to launch "Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER," a sports mentorship program aimed at advancing gender equality and women’s leadership in the African sports industry. The program, part of Speak Up Africa's “African LeadHERs” movement and BAL's BAL4HER platform, focuses on addressing gender imbalances in sports by providing coaching and networking opportunities to young African female athletes. Over six months, six mentees from Senegal, Egypt, and Rwanda will receive guidance from female leaders in the sports industry to enhance their skills and knowledge on topics such as gender inequality, mental health, public speaking, and storytelling, aiming to empower women and drive social and economic transformation through sport in Africa.

FINAL WHISTLE

Sports are not just about physical exertion; they're the heartbeat of societal transformation, pulsating with energy and potential, especially in Africa. These collaborative initiatives between organizations and sports leagues are like sparks igniting the flame of change across the continent. Mentorship programs are the guiding lights, illuminating the path for young talent to flourish and become leaders in their own right. With each coaching session and networking opportunity, we witness the dawn of a new era where young Africans are empowered to shape their destinies and drive progress in their communities. As we look to the future, let us continue to support and invest in initiatives that harness the boundless power of sports to uplift and inspire generations to come. Together, we can create a legacy of vibrancy, enthusiasm, and relentless pursuit of excellence, propelling Africa towards a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow.