Why do we celebrate IDSDP?
On a hot summer day of 23 August 2013, Novak Djokovic made his way to the international United Nations HQ on the East River, Manhattan. Because of the unparalleled game of tennis in 2012/2013, Djokovic was invited to address the UN General Assembly on behalf of all the world’s athletes. His war-torn background marked him a true representative of how sport can help people overcome adversity and win the game of life.
It is a real honour to address the United Nations, and to be given the exceptional privilege to speak on behalf of the global family of athletes on this historic day.
I was born and raised in a small but proud country that has gone through difficult times in the last decades. It was during that period of hardship that sports became an integral part of my life: everything changed for me when I saw Pete Sampras triumph at Wimbledon. He became my idol. I dreamt of being just like him, the number one tennis player in the world.
It took me thirteen years to achieve my goal. It was a long journey, and it was not mine alone.
I hope this International Day will motivate each of us to invest, in every way possible, additional efforts in cultivating the intrinsic sporting values, such as fair-play, teamwork, and respect for opponents. These are universal. Every successful society is built on them. The more we instil respect and appreciation for these in ourselves, the better world we will be leaving to our successors, said Djokovic.
Sport is not about winning, it is about being part of something great
For Djokovic, sport is not about winning. It is about participating and being part of something greater than he is. For the tennis No.1, sport is a source of well-being, connection and belonging.
When we play sport, we all feel that sense of belonging to the game we are playing and to one another. Nothing else but the game and the team we are playing for – exists. All those cultural, racial and gender boundaries are getting broken down and what is left are the best possible human values at play: respect for the one another, acceptance of binding rules, teamwork and fair-play.
By gaining importance in the world of economics and international politics, sport has become integral to everyday life. In a political and social context, sport has even more power. It reaches out to those most in need and helps them to overcome adversity by building and strengthening their character. Slowly but surely, sport has become an essential part of customs and habits of each and every nation.
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
The Novak Djokovic Foundation commemorates this year’s International Day of Sport by organising a series of workshops for preschool aged children where they will learn balance, ball play and proper coordination. They will also have the chance to meet other successful athletes who will teach them a few tricks that helped them on the court.
[This article has been edited by the Operating Team]
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