Championing social change: The role of Professor Yunus and Yunus Sports Hub

Yunus' legacy, vision and the creation of Yunus Sports Hub

Professor Muhammad Yunus has dedicated his life to combating poverty and advocating for social business. Born in 1940 in Chittagong, Bangladesh, he earned a Ph.D. in economics from Vanderbilt University. After returning to Bangladesh, he became a professor at Chittagong University, where he witnessed the devastating effects of poverty firsthand.

In 1976, Yunus made a pivotal move by lending $27 to 42 women in Jobra, which laid the foundation for Grameen Bank in 1983. This groundbreaking institution provided microloans without collateral, empowering millions, especially women, to improve their livelihoods and escape the cycle of poverty. His transformative work earned him and Grameen Bank the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, solidifying his role as a global leader in social business.

Prof. Yunus is also widely recognized as the "father of social business." A social business is a non-dividend company established to address a specific human problem. It operates like a traditional company, with one key difference: 100% of its profits are reinvested to further its social mission. Renowned as one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, he founded the Yunus Sports Hub to harness the power of sport in driving social change. In 2021, he was honored with the title of Olympic Laureate for his commitment to creating sustainable social impact through sports. This recognition underscores Yunus’s belief that sports can serve as a powerful tool for community empowerment and social cohesion.

Challenges and Resilience in Pursuit of Social Change

Throughout his career, Professor Muhammad Yunus has faced significant opposition from political leaders in Bangladesh, particularly during his conflicts with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Despite the backlash, Yunus has remained resilient, continuing to advocate for social business and focusing on his mission to alleviate poverty and empower marginalized communities that extend beyond the borders of Bangladesh.

He introduced the concept of a “world of three zeros,” aiming for zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. This ambitious framework underpins many of his initiatives, including those related to sports, as he believes that sport can serve as a powerful catalyst for social change. Through the Yunus Sports Hub, he integrates this vision by leveraging sports to foster economic empowerment, social inclusion, and health improvement within communities.

Unlocking Potential: A New Era for Yunus Sports Hub

Last summer, after violent protests which resulted in the death of several youths in Bangladesh and the resignation of the Prime Minister, the people turned to Prof. Yunus for guidance and support. In August, he was appointed as the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. His deep commitment to empowering young people and creating opportunities for all will bring a unique perspective to governance, prioritizing the well-being of marginalized communities and creating a plan led by the new generation. Prof. Yunus’s focus on building a more equitable society aligns with his foundational principles of economic empowerment and social cohesion.

With Yunus at the helm of his new responsibilities, the Yunus Sports Hub is committed to advancing its mission to harness the transformative power of sports to drive social impact across Bangladesh and beyond. There is momentum to create profound changes that resonate within the community and set a precedence for sustainable development worldwide.

Join the movement

As Yunus continues to pave the way for a more equitable society, we invite readers to engage with the Yunus Sports Hub. Reach out to their team to explore how together you can use sports to engage the community and empower individuals in your region.