'Sport lifts us up, inspires us, unites us'

The UN-led theme for this year's debate, held on 4 April, was 'Scoring for People and the Planet'.

The aim of the debate, among others, was to bring attention to the contribution sport and physical activities made to education, human development, healthy lifestyles and in building peaceful and inclusive communities.

The spirited debate, delivered by sports and health experts, inspired powerful conversations among the audience at Marlborough House (the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat) and those who joined online. 

The event was the 7th edition of the Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development, hosted in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. It looked at whether sport should contribute to physical, mental and environmental health.

Commonwealth secretary-general, Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, underscored the importance of sport to the development of the Commonwealth.

"Sport lifts us up, raises our heart rates, inspires us, unites us," she said. 

"In many ways, sport is a Commonwealth characteristic – and we all saw that unity and purpose on display at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year. Sport shapes, and reflects, our societies. This is a point which was recognised unequivocally by our Heads of Government at CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) last year, and by Sports Ministers in Birmingham."

The secretary-general also thanked stakeholders, in particular the University of Edinburgh, and acknowledged Anne Wafula Strike MBE, the Commonwealth Champion for Equality in Sports, for her continued commitment and advocacy to the sports sector.

Director and chair of sport at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Grant Jarvie, who also moderated the Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development, said research has highlighted "that it is clearer than ever sport has the potential to be a powerful platform for addressing broad issues."

Two teams argued the motion - 'A compassionate sports sector should enable the charge for a healthy mind, body and planet'. 

The team arguing for the motion were Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports from The Gambia, Claire Poole, the founder and CEO of Sport Positive; Melissa Wilson, Co-founder of Athletes of the World; and Dr Walker Ross, lecturer, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.

Professor Corinne Reid, Professorial Fellow with the Global Health Academy and the Academy of Sport, University of Edinburgh, was the first speaker for the team against the motion. Reid was joined by Dr Ellen Barnie Peprah, physician and coordinator of the Commonwealth Health Youth Network, Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity at Mind and Dr William Bird, general practitioner and CEO of Intelligent Health. 

After assessing the arguments and performances of the teams, the panel of adjudicators - led by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) - determined that the team arguing 'for' the motion won the debate. 

The debate was spearheaded by the Sport for Development and Peace team. 

Click here to watch the highlights of the debate.

Source and main image: The Commonwealth