TeamUp wins Laureus Sport for Good Award

TeamUp, a psycho-social support intervention developed which helps children in difficult situations to relieve stress and tension, was honoured at recent Laureus World Sport Awards.

Developed by War Child, Save the Children and UNICEF Netherlands, TeamUp won the Sport for Good Award at the ceremony in Paris on 8 May.

The other organisations nominated for the same award were Boxgirls (Kenya), High Five (Germany), Made for More (South Africa) and Slum Soccer (India).

Originally designed for Africa, Sri Lanka and occupied territories, agencies involved are now increasingly using sport, play and movement to enhance the lives of under-pressure young people.

Inspired by the Peace and Humanitarian Action Fund, instigated as a result of support from Laureus Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko, Laureus partnered with War Child early in the conflict in Ukraine, supporting a programme in Poland helping young people fleeing the war. The project and Laureus’ partnership now also includes Moldova.

The same event saw Argentina's FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi and world champion sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce named as sportsman and sportswoman of the year, respectively.

This is the second time Messi picked up the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award after sharing the prize with British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz won the World Breakthrough of the Year award while Christian Eriksen won the World Comeback of the Year award after he recovered from cardiac arrest in 2021 to return to Premier League football with Brentford and then Manchester United the following year.

The World Action Sportsperson of the Year went to China's Eileen Gu while Swiss para athlete Catherine Debrunner won the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.