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Doha: The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace represents a renewed occasion launched by the United Nations General Assembly to create awareness of the positive role that sport plays in serving society and consolidating the pillars of development and peace in the countries of the world.
In a statement issued on the occasion of the day which falls on April 6, the Minister of Sports and Youth H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali has said that this celebration is an important occasion to inspire influential individuals and organisations related to sport to play a role in advancing the sustainable development goals.
“Perhaps the launch of this year’s celebration under the slogan ‘Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future for All: The Contribution of Sport’ is an opportunity to evoke the ability of sport to strengthen social bonds and promote peace and solidarity, and to enlighten the peoples of the world about the importance of sports activity as a tool for prevention, protection and awareness.” He said that sport in its comprehensive sense is a common national and international language, and one of the most effective tools, and it can be harnessed for many constructive goals.
The Minister said that sport is a strong communication platform, and an effective tool for rapprochement, integration and participation, which must be invested in to achieve noble goals and reach lofty goals such as development and peace.
In general, he said, this interactive sector is inseparable from other sectors, and in this context, sporting events can help to promote social development, economic growth, health, education and environmental protection, especially if they are part of integrated, coordinated, sustainable and long-term policies at the national, regional and international levels.
The Minister said that sports is a strategic option for Qatar, whether in enhancing its position at the regional and international levels or in human development, through the use of sport in developing generations that enjoy physical, health and psychological fitness, behavioural discipline and values based on tolerance, cooperation, dealing with others, productivity and facing challenges positively.
He said that Qatar is a pioneer in dedicating a National Day for sports, based on its belief that sport is a key to promoting development and enabling peace, and thus implementing the sustainable development goals.
In this regard, the Minister said, Qatar hosted more than 500 international sporting events in the past 15 years, at a time when the country is preparing to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, an occasion that constitutes an incentive for Qatar and the region to accelerate social progress and build a better future for future generations.
He said that this is done by engaging the public in the implementation of sustainability policies and creating public awareness that is reflected in the implementation of climate change policies in the world.
The Minister added that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy also launched the ‘Generation Amazing’ initiative, which seeks to use the game of football for development and address social issues in countries with specific needs in line with the sustainable development goals.
“Finally, we invite everyone, on this occasion, to join cooperation to make sport a means of strengthening the pillars of sustainable development and consolidating the principles of peace around the world,” said the Minister.
