Strengthening sport for development and peace in the Middle East and North Africa

We all have different realities which form different perspectives. However, sport allows to get engaged in a single purpose, with the connective aspect as a binding force, thus creating a single perspective irrespective of any inherent or external factors. While playing a sport with others, we are all focused on a common purpose and forget our differences, prejudices and individualistic point of view to engage in something much more bigger. Thus sport unites us more than it divides us. The connectivity that sport generates allows this common purpose.

The challenges in the Middle East and North Africa are multifaceted, just like in other parts of the world. It is quite difficult to address these challenges in isolation. But through sport, it is possible to inculcate aspects of fairness, inclusiveness and sustainable goals. While participating in sports activities, this short respite can have a life long impact. Remember the sport activity during your childhood? Now be the ingredient and let sport be the catalyst for social, environmental and economic development in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Middle East is quite politically volatile and the same approach to sport that is adopted in other parts of the world might be counterproductive.  Thus the sports activities need to provide more tools to adapt to this complicated world so that through sport, each person is able to navigate difficult situations. Sport should therefore provide the opportunity to engage with issues by producing breakthroughs. The more sports activities in the Middle East and Northern Africa, the more hope it brings for the future.

Image: Kevin Blankenship / Equal Playing Field