2/13/2022
Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Charity, in cooperation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery, Legacy, and the International Center for Sports Security, launched the "Sports for Development and Peace" initiative.
The launch of the initiative aligns with the State of Qatar annual National Sports Day that occurs on the second Tuesday of February, which shows the country’s dedication to sports and sports-related activities to promote the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.
Adding to the dedication to sports and advocating for healthy communities, the Sport for Development and Peace initiative will be funding several sport-related projects that use sport as an effective tool for humanitarian, development, and peace-building efforts in different countries.
The initiative of QFFD, Qatar Charity, and other partners aim to reach more communities to capitalize on the positive values of sport. It also advocates towards community building, personal development, and well-being, to empower and inspire disadvantaged children and young people as well as leverage the contribution of sports to the Sustainable development Goals.
The field programs and activities of the initiative, with the support of implementing partners on the ground, aims to enhance life skills, social inclusion, and conflict resolution to underprivileged and marginalized groups. Nonetheless, the involvement in sports activities will have psychological and physical health benefits to the participants of the program in fragile and conflicts affected countries.
Inspirational initiative
H.E Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, QFFD’s Director-General, said: “Sport is a powerful tool to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in QFFD’s focal areas education, health, and economic development. Sport and play are vital for the holistic development of young people, fostering their physical, social, and emotional health, improving learning outcomes, and transmitting key values such as teamwork, fair play, respect for others, adherence to rules, or how to cope with competition, winning and losing. These values are important life and employability skills, and they are highly relevant for the rebuilding of post-conflict societies. Sport encourages healthy lifestyles, physical inactivity being a major risk factor for the most common chronic diseases, and it promotes mental well-being and inclusion for at-risk communities such as refugees or internally displaced people. Sport is a school of life, and we are proud to be a part of this inspiring initiative.”
Mr. Yousef Al Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity stated: “With a track record of 38 years saving lives during crises and developing sustainable solutions to poverty and social inequalities, we have leveraged multiple innovative tools that accelerate and support the effective delivery of humanitarian and development programs. Sports is one of the most powerful tools we have found to bring people together across all boundaries for one shared vision. Through the SPD initiative, we want to support a global network of partners and communities to leverage the unique power of sports in contributing to a world where all people enjoy their right to live in peace, security, and dignity.”
H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said: “Generation Amazing is pleased to support The Sport for Development and Peace Initiative and is privileged to partner with the Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity, and ICSS to expand GA’s role in enacting Qatar’s Human and Social development goals, both nationally and internationally. Through the transformative power of football, we are positively affecting communities, developing young leaders around the world, and ensuring our human and social legacy of the FIFA World Cup continues past 2022. Generation Amazing will continue supporting vulnerable and at-risk communities through initiatives such as SDP, which highlights the unique value of sports as a tool that can empower communities and achieve Sustainable Development Goals."
Human rights
Dr. Turki bin Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud, Director of the Human Rights Department, saluted Qatar Charity and Qatar Fund for Development and praised their important role in the Sports Development Initiative, considering that the initiative promotes human rights in poor countries, especially the sports have a positive impact.
Youth rehabilitation
Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the International Center for Sports Security, praised the partnership with Qatar Charity and QFFD.
He said that this initiative began years ago with Qatar Charity, and we had the opportunity to work jointly in Darfur, and through the Sports Initiative, which was dedicated to the displaced people affected by the conflict in Darfur, we played an important role In the rehabilitation of young people because of the great importance of sport in their lives.